Overview: 
The David Isbell Internship was established to honor the first chairman of the Executive Board of The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, David B. Isbell (1929-2011). As chairman, he provided the leadership to create what has grown to be a leading national 501(c)(3) charity providing pro bono legal services in federal venues for veterans in need and their loved ones since 1992.

Each year, thousands of deserving veterans and their loved ones are unjustly denied hard-earned care and benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If they appeal within the VA and are still denied, they can take their case to the federal
court system. The VA always has an attorney in court and we believe the veterans in need should also have representation. Our volunteer attorneys have achieved a remarkable 83% lifetime win rate for deserving clients in more than 7,800 federal court cases, including two unanimous Supreme Court decisions. The David Isbell Internship is part of TVC's Law Scholars Program comprising internships, externships, fellowships, pro bono law clerks and related opportunities to serve veterans in need.

Position Summary: 
This opportunity will introduce the intern to the practice of appellate law and to the law of veterans benefits. S/he will experience a wide range of administrative law issues common to all federal agencies as well as issues unique to veterans law. The intern will be expected to complete research projects and draft legal memoranda to support the federal appellate, discharge upgrade, women veterans legal assistance and veteran naturalization components. The intern will also participate in TVC's Advice & Referral Clinic at the DC VA Medical Center, where they will partner with VA, law firms and corporate legal departments to work one on one with veterans seeking legal services.

Qualifications: 
An applicant must (1) be a student attending an accredited law school in the United States with a GPA of 2.75 or better; (2) be highly motivated and have a demonstrated interest in the mission of The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program; and (3) demonstrate excellent research, writing and communication skills.

Compensation: 
The position is funded at $25/hr. The intern should expect to work 40 hours per week during the internship at our Washington, DC office.

How to apply: 
Send a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript and writing sample to Gina D’Amico, Deputy Director, Litigation & Case Evaluation, CAVC Practice, at Gina.Damico@vetsprobono.org.

Please address the following questions in your cover letter:
(1) Why do you want to work in the area of veterans law?
(2) What is your motivation to work with veterans and their families, caregivers & survivors?
(3) What sets you apart from other candidates?

Applications for the Summer 2024 internship should be emailed by April 1, 2024. Internship selection will be made by the end of April 2024.