Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i Summer Clerkship Program

Engage in Impactful Legal Work, Cultural Enrichment, and Community Engagement 

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii’s Summer Clerkship Program provides law students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience while making a meaningful impact on the community. As the state’s oldest and largest non-profit law firm, Legal Aid is committed to serving low- and moderate-income individuals and families in areas including housing, consumer protection, family law, immigration, and public benefits.

Each year, Legal Aid hosts 4 to 6 summer law clerks in various locations throughout the state, including Honolulu, Waianae, Kaneohe, Kauai, Hilo, Maui, and the Hawai‘i Immigrant Justice Center at Legal Aid. Clerks are matched with offices, units, or projects, or may receive assignments from different areas to diversify their experience and skill development. 

Duration: 10 weeks, full-time commitment from May 27- August 1, 2025. 
Summer law clerks engage in meaningful, substantive legal work under the supervision of experienced attorneys. Responsibilities may include: 

Clerkship Responsibilities

  • Direct Client Contact and Representation: Interview clients, provide counsel, draft pleadings, prepare discovery, and participate in clinics. Some clerks may have the opportunity to represent clients in administrative proceedings at the Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, the Child Support Enforcement Agency, the City and County of Honolulu, or before the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. 
  • Develop Written Materials: Assist in creating and revising court forms, educational materials, and resources that address common legal and economic issues. 
  • Research Projects: Conduct legal research and draft memoranda to support ongoing cases and new projects. 

Professional Development and Training 

Clerks participate in structured learning experiences, including: 
  • Weekly Attorney Roundtables: Sessions with Legal Aid attorneys from different practice areas to discuss their work and career paths. 
  • Regular One on One meetings with Supervising Attorneys: Summer law clerks will participate as team members in their respective departments and meet regularly with supervising attorneys to review their assignments, they will also participate in department meetings and case conferences
  • Cultural Book Club: A summer-long book club exploring the history and cultural context of the Hawaiian Islands, which deepens students' understanding of the communities we serve. 
  • Guest Speakers and Workshops: Presentations by leaders in law, history, and community development.
These elements provide a comprehensive view of public interest law and promote a deeper appreciation of Hawai‘i’s unique cultural and legal landscape. 

Cultural Enrichment and Service Learning 
Legal Aid’s commitment to cultural enrichment is woven into the clerkship experience. Beyond their legal work, clerks are immersed in: 
  • Service-Learning Projects: Engage in cultural site restorations, advocacy initiatives, and pro bono clinics. 
  • Community and Cultural Literature: Explore readings that reflect the complexities of Hawai‘i’s historical and contemporary issues. 
  • Guest Speaker Series: Learn from local leaders, historians, and legal experts to better understand Hawai‘i’s cultural and legal challenges. 
Professional Networking Opportunities 
Our program provides rich opportunities for networking and professional growth: 
  • Connect with Peers and Externs: Join a cohort of dedicated law students and externs working across various practice areas and geographic locations. 
  • Engage with Judiciary Staff and Officials: Attend sessions with judges, law clerks, and court staff to gain insights into Hawai‘i’s legal system. 
  • Collaborate with Community Legal Providers: Build connections with attorneys and advocates dedicated to public interest law. 
These interactions help clerks build professional relationships and gain a broader perspective on the legal landscape in Hawai‘i.

Funding and Stipend Opportunities 

Law students are encouraged to seek funding through public interest grants available through their universities or private foundations.  

University of Hawaii students with an interest in a Summer Law Clerk position are encouraged to apply for the University of Hawaii’s Advocates for Public Interview Law (APIL) grant. The application process for the APIL grant is separate from the Legal Aid Law Clerk application and interested students should submit their applications both to Legal Aid and APIL respectively. 

Join us for a summer of impactful legal work, cultural enrichment, and community engagement! 

To apply for a Legal Aid Law Clerk position, a resume, three references, and cover letter should be submitted in electronic format to Tiane Inciong at [email protected].  
The cover letter should highlight the student's interest or connection to working in Hawai‘i. If the student has a strong preference for a specific office location or subject matter, this should also be indicated in the letter. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled, but early submission is encouraged. Applicants should also specify which area of law they are most interested in. A full list of our service areas/units can be found at Legal Aid Hawaii - What We Do.