CLJC and Ohio Innocence Project announce new undergrad internship with stipend; apply by March 30

The Center for Law, Justice and Culture announces a new alumna-funded internship for Ohio University undergraduate students with the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Through generous funding provided by alumna Leah Recht, a student will be awarded an eight-week, full-time internship at OIP. Recht earned a B.A. in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2006, followed by a law degree from Georgetown University.

The intern will divide time equally between OIP’s legal clinic, which investigates and litigates wrongful conviction cases in Ohio, and OIP’s policy and engagement team, which works on criminal justice reform, research and education. The intern’s duties will include but are not limited to:

• Attending a two-week intensive training with other interns and law student fellows working at OIP.
• Working closely with OIP’s legal assistant and other interns in processing requests for assistance from imprisoned people who claim they are innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted.
• Assisting with archiving investigative, legal and factual reports related to investigative matters and court cases.
• Researching demographic, political, cultural and legal aspects of Ohio’s communities for legislative advocacy and educational outreach.
• Assisting the policy director and policy fellows with developing materials for professional, community and campus-based education initiatives.

Students selected for the internship will be eligible for up to a $2,500 stipend to cover costs. The dates for the internship are Tuesday, May 31, through Friday, June 24, and July 6 through July 29.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Open to all majors.
2. Must be a currently enrolled Ohio University undergraduate student.
3. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above.
4. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated knowledge of and a commitment to issues of equity and social justice through their lived experience, scholarship, extra-curricular activities, and/or community service.
5. Must have an interest in attending law school.
6. Must have demonstrated financial need.
7. If selected, students must meet with CLJC Assistant Director Larry Hayman to discuss the internship placement and supervision; selected student must participate in Pre-Law Day.

Interested students should apply at this webpage.  Applications must be received no later than March 30, 2022. Questions can be directed to Larry Hayman, Esq., CLJC assistant director in the College of Arts and Sciences and pre-law advisor for the Center for Advising, Career and Experiential Learning, at hayman@ohio.edu.