Legal Support Intern (NYC)

As a Legal Support Intern at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), your responsibilities will include attending and observing court hearings, conducting outreach to case planners and witnesses, performing data entry, and providing administrative support to attorneys and the Manhattan FCLS team. You will be actively involved in the child welfare process and gain invaluable insights into family court procedures.

To apply for the Legal Support Intern position at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), candidates must be undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within the past year. It's important to be passionate about family law and child welfare, as this internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about these fields.

Interns at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) can expect to gain comprehensive knowledge about the family court process and child welfare laws. You'll also develop essential administrative support skills and learn about the agency's mission and values, enhancing your professional growth as you contribute to protecting children and families.

The Legal Support Intern position at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission by aiding attorneys and staff in child welfare cases. This allows the agency to operate more efficiently while ensuring that children and families receive the necessary support and resources.

To apply for the Legal Support Intern position at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), prospective candidates must submit their resume through the designated city jobs page, ensuring that they meet the qualifications of being an undergraduate student or recent graduate. Note that no phone calls or personal inquiries are permitted, and only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

A strong response should highlight your passion for child welfare and family law, as well as your eagerness to support the agency's mission. Emphasize how this internship aligns with your career goals and what you hope to learn from the experience.

Discuss your strategies for time management and organization. You might describe how you use tools like lists or digital calendars to ensure that critical tasks are completed on time, especially in a fast-paced environment like ACS.

Provide an example from your academic or volunteer experiences that illustrates your ability to work effectively in a team. Highlight how collaboration contributed to a successful outcome, emphasizing communication and shared objectives.

Mention skills like attention to detail, effective communication, data management, and the ability to multitask. Explain how these skills apply directly to the responsibilities of the Legal Support Intern position at ACS.

You should express your current knowledge of child welfare law and your willingness to learn. If you've taken relevant courses or have any volunteer experience, be sure to mention that, as well as your enthusiasm for gaining deeper insights during the internship.

Share your understanding of the value of constructive criticism and how you use feedback as an opportunity for growth. Provide an example where you acted on feedback to improve your performance in a previous role.

Discuss your passion for social justice, protecting vulnerable populations, or your interest in legal processes. Emphasize how these motives connect to ACS's mission and how you aspire to contribute to meaningful change.

Choose a specific instance where you encountered a challenge and clearly outline the steps you took to address it. Focus on your problem-solving skills and the positive outcome that resulted from your actions.

Make it clear that you understand the importance of confidentiality, especially in a legal context like ACS. Explain measures you would take to ensure sensitive information is protected at all times, such as only sharing it with authorized personnel.

Articulate your goals for the internship, such as gaining hands-on experience in legal processes, understanding family court dynamics, and developing professional relationships in the legal community. Highlight your eagerness to contribute while learning from experienced professionals.