Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child who has been abused or exposed to domestic violence? Have you ever wondered about the differences between law books and the reality in court? Do you like fighting the good fight?
Child Justice, Inc., a national organization based in Silver Spring, Maryland, with offices in Baltimore and Columbia, MD, advocates for abused, neglected and at risk children in custody and access cases. We serve the public interest by securing pro bono representation for protective parents in financial distress and by seeking appropriate judicial solutions to the threats facing abused, neglected, and at risk children as well as improving the response by state agencies and courts to children in need of protection.Since 2001, first as Justice for Children and since April 2013 as Child Justice, Inc., we have worked with dedicated pro bono attorneys in top law firms to provide access to justice and give children the gift of a stable, nurturing life with a loving and safe parent or guardian.
Child Justice seeks and provides pro bono legal services for the non-offending protective parent of an abused (sexually or physically) child in a lower court proceeding where custody and access are at issue. We also solicit counsel for parents who have appealed the lower court’s judgment at the state’s intermediate or highest level of appeal. In cases of public interest we submit Amicus Curiae Briefs through pro bono counsel.
Besides protecting child victims, we strive to advance the law. Our most recent Amicus Brief was for a USC Appeal, Doyle Randal Paroline v The United States of America, et al. addressing restitution for victims whose pornographic images have been viewed and distributed. Doyle v Paroline had oral arguments on January 22, 2014. Over the last decade we had several precedent-setting cases, in particular Fox v Wills (Maryland 2006), Doe v Doe (Hawaii 2009), Davis v Petito (Maryland 2012), and Sumpter v Sumpter (Maryland 2013).
Deadlines for Internship/Externship Submissions:
March 15th for Summer Placements
July 15th for Fall Placements
November 15th for Spring Placements
the benefits of our internship program
Hands-on experience
Review/evaluate client applications, organize case files, write up case summaries in cases targeted for pro-bono legal assistance.
Be On Court Watch
Attend court proceedings and take notes while the action is happening throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
brush up on research skills
Assist an attorney or pro se litigant with legal research pertaining to actual cases being handled by our organization.
Legal Writing, Perfected
Opportunity to conceptualize, develop and write articles for submission for publication in industry-recognized media outlets.
Work DirectlyWith Clients
Interact directly with clients to gain experience working with and representing those who've experienced domestic violence.
Take The Cause to Capitol Hill
If scheduled, Child Justice interns have the opportunity to prepare for and hold Congressional Briefings.
Get Involved On the state level
Interns research and write testimony, attend hearings & testify before Maryland House & Senate Committees.
Become a Nonprofit pro
Acting as legal counsel for a charity is tough work! Learn how to navigate the specific legal challenges facing nonprofits.
We prefer 2L students because of the challenging nature of the subject matter and tasks but will also consider 1L students. Interns must be self-motivated, have excellent attention to detail skills, and be able to meet deadlines as well as work without micro-management. The ability to handle highly emotional material is a must. While internships in our DC and Baltimore offices are unpaid, there is opportunity to receive academic credit from our Baltimore office.If you are interested in applying to our Internship Program, please fill out the form below completely and a member of our staff will contact you shortly.
"My internship was a terrific experience from both humanitarian and professional perspectives. The appreciation I received from those who were in terrible predicaments and needed our help was immensely satisfying, and the opportunity to develop legal skills while evaluating cases, working with attorneys to prepare cases, and observing court proceedings was a valuable supplement to law school."
Get in touch with us!
There are few things we love more than assisting families impacted by child abuse and domestic violence and connecting with others who are as relentlessly dedicated to the mission as we are! Whether you have questions, need assistance or want to volunteer for the cause, Child Justice, Inc. is here to help! Get in touch with our team by clicking the button below and filling out the form with your information -- a member of our team will respond to your inquiry shortly!
CONTACT US