What's Happening?
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) is actively recruiting law student interns for the summer of 2027. These hybrid positions are available in either PHLP's Philadelphia or Pittsburgh offices. Interns will engage in client advocacy, including interviewing
clients and managing Medicaid eligibility and service denial cases under attorney supervision. They will also assist with administrative hearing preparations, observe Medicaid appeal proceedings, and contribute to statewide and national health policy advocacy. Additionally, interns will conduct legal and policy research to support both individual casework and broader advocacy efforts. PHLP is seeking first or second-year law students with a strong commitment to public interest work and PHLP's mission of preserving and improving healthcare access for all Pennsylvanians. Stipends of up to $10,000 are available for interns without alternative funding sources.
Why It's Important?
This internship program is crucial for several reasons. It provides invaluable hands-on experience for law students interested in public interest law and healthcare policy, fostering the next generation of legal advocates. For PHLP, these interns significantly bolster their capacity to provide free legal services to underserved and marginalized communities, directly impacting individuals' access to essential healthcare. The work addresses critical issues such as Medicaid eligibility and service denials, which are vital for vulnerable populations. By engaging in policy advocacy, interns contribute to systemic changes that can improve healthcare access across Pennsylvania. The availability of stipends helps ensure that students from diverse backgrounds can participate, promoting equity within the legal profession and public service.
What's Next?
PHLP is accepting applications on a rolling basis, with interviews scheduled through January 2027. Interested law students should submit a cover letter, resume, and at least two references to Pamela Silver, Supervising Attorney, at hr@phlp.org. Successful applicants will begin their full-time, 10-week internships in late May/early June 2027. The interns will then immerse themselves in client advocacy, legal research, and policy work, contributing directly to PHLP's mission. Their work will continue to support PHLP's efforts to dismantle barriers to healthcare, challenge inequities, and promote lasting policy changes in Pennsylvania's healthcare landscape. The program will also serve as a pipeline for future public interest lawyers dedicated to health justice.
Beyond the Headlines
The PHLP internship program highlights the persistent challenges in healthcare access and the vital role of legal aid organizations in addressing them. Beyond individual cases, the policy work undertaken by PHLP and its interns contributes to a broader discourse on healthcare as a human right and the systemic issues that create disparities. The program also underscores the ethical responsibility of the legal profession to serve the public good, particularly for those who cannot afford legal representation. By fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcoming applicants with lived experience, PHLP is not only building a more representative legal workforce but also ensuring that advocacy efforts are informed by the realities of the communities they serve. This initiative reflects a commitment to social justice that extends beyond legal technicalities to impact the fundamental well-being of Pennsylvanians.
