Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. and OCBA Fellowship Program

 Host Law Firm Interest Form

Overview

The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. (LAS) and the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. (OCBA) invite private law firms to partner with us in a unique law student fellowship program. In the true traditions of the LAS and the OCBA, this initiative bridges public service and private practice, allowing law students to gain valuable experience in both sectors while fostering collaboration amongst law schools, LAS, and private firm communities.

Participating firms will host a talented law student fellow for 10 continuous weeks throughout the semester (May 12, 2025 through July 18, 2025), while also supporting the supervising attorney in their LAS pro bono efforts. This partnership enriches the legal profession, greatly increases law student skills, and supports the development of future attorneys committed to both professionalism and justice. The fellow’s stipend will be paid by LAS. LAS will also cover the fellow under the firm’s liability insurance for pro bono work performed during that time.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with LAS and OCBA as a host law firm for the LAS-OCBA Law Student Fellowship program. Please complete the form below to help us understand your firm’s areas of practice, mentorship capacity, and goals for the program. Your responses will assist us in matching your firm with the most suitable fellow. Please contact LAS at 407-841-8310 with any questions.

Position: Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. (LAS) Pro Bono Law Student Fellow

Duration: 10 Continuous Weeks During the Summer 2025 Semester (beginning Monday, May 12, 2025)

Location: Host Firm’s Central Florida Organization (combination of virtual and in-person)

Hours: Minimum of 40 hours per week for 10 continuous weeks; schedule determined by private firm placement. At least 120 hours over the course of the fellowship must be spent exclusively on LAS pro bono work.

Compensation: $7,500 over the course of the fellowship ($750 per week, 40 hours per week over 10 continuous weeks)

Key Responsibilities

The Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc. will:

• Conduct a one-hour virtual introductory orientation for participating fellows
• Pay the fellow’s 10-week stipend via LAS payroll
• Pay the fellow’s mileage associated with LAS pro bono casework
• Include the fellow on LAS liability insurance, covering pro bono casework

The fellow will:

• Complete fingerprinting and a background check prior to day one of the fellowship. The Legal Aid Society will pay for this fellowship fingerprinting and background check expense.
• Provide one’s own laptop, transportation, and internet access throughout the course of the fellowship.
• Support the host attorney with outlined fellowship tasks, including researching and drafting legal documents, observing and contributing to client meetings, hearings, and case strategy sessions.
• Always maintain professional communication with the host attorney, including informing the host attorney in advance of any necessary absences.
• Participate in a one-hour orientation with LAS staff to understand the mission and purpose of public interest law. Complete paperwork necessary to effectuate electronic payroll.
• Collaborate on LAS pro bono cases, bridging the work of public service and private practice.
• Email designated LAS pro bono staff weekly to relay the number of hours worked on LAS pro bono matters, providing a brief description of the nature of the work.

Private Law Firm/ Supervising Attorney will:

• Ensure that the attorney supervising the LAS pro bono fellow is a current member of the OCBA.
• Maintain at least two (2) open LAS pro bono cases or an approved LAS project at all times during the LAS pro bono fellow’s tenure.
• Oversee the pro bono fellow’s assistance on the LAS pro bono cases.

Fellowship Timeframe and Compensation

• The fellowship runs for 10 continuous weeks.
• The fellowship will begin May 12, 2025.
• The fellowship will conclude Friday, July 18, 2025.
• LAS will compensate each fellow $7,500 per semester. LAS payroll runs every two weeks. Fellows will receive approximately $1,500 before taxes each payroll throughout the course of the fellowship.

Fellow Qualifications

• Current enrollment as a law student at an accredited United States law school.
• Current member of the Orange County Bar Association. https://orangecountybar.org/page/JoinNow
• Strong interest in public service and a commitment to social justice.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism and strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Submit to and pass a Florida Department of Law Enforcement employment background check, paid by the Legal Aid Society, prior to beginning the fellowship.

Benefits of the Fellowship

• Gain diverse legal experience in both public service and private practice while receiving a financial stipend.
• Build relationships with experienced attorneys in different sectors of the legal profession.
• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of underserved populations.

Application Instructions

Please complete the application below which will be forwarded to Barbara (Bobbi) Walters at bwalters@legalaidocba.org.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 25, 2025. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 30, 2025 and fellowships will be awarded on a rolling basis. Informal interviews may be conducted by the host law firm, if the number of applications greatly exceeds the number of available fellowships.

We look forward to welcoming fellows who share our dedication to serving the community, promoting professionalism, and advancing access to justice.