Legal Unit Internships

Bankruptcy, Consumer, Employment Unit

Bankruptcy
The Bankruptcy Unit assists clients in gaining a fresh legal start through bankruptcy discharge. Our staff represents clients seeking relief from debt through consumer bankruptcy under both Chapter 7 (liquidation) and Chapter 13 (wage earner) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.  Some of our most vulnerable clients have a difficult time applying for bankruptcy assistance because of the amount of information and paperwork required to complete their file.  VLP holds a Bankruptcy Clinic once a month to assist low-income clients with the process of completing our application and gathering the required documents.  Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students staff these clinics, and in return receive a valuable introduction to bankruptcy practice.

Interns, students and paralegals assist potential clients with document and information collection. They help gather documents and provide the information needed to prepare cases for pro bono referral. Some examples include helping obtain and organize credit reports, income and benefit information, asset information and tax returns, as well as completing counseling and education requirements. Interns also assist staff in preparing bankruptcy petitions and attend Section 341 Meetings of Creditors.

Consumer

The Consumer Law Unit handles matters including debt collection defense, Fair Debt Collection violations, Fair Credit Reporting violations, credit repair, and bankruptcy discharge violations.  Much of this work is done through the Fair Debt Collection Lawyer for the Day clinics. These clinics are operated at the Boston Municipal Court, Cambridge District Court and Quincy District Court.

Interns, students, and paralegals in the Consumer Law Unit assist with intake and screening at the clinics, prepare cases for referral to the private bar for full representation, and help with client discovery.  Interns may also have research projects that flow from active cases.