Health Law Advocates (HLA) is seeking to hire a summer intern to help shape and support our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at the individual, organizational, and systems levels. The intern will work with a DEI Committee charged with developing and implementing short- and long-term goals aimed at identifying and dismantling instances of inequity while continually monitoring the effectiveness of our work.

HLA is a dynamic non-profit, public interest law firm whose mission is to provide pro bono legal services to Massachusetts residents who are income-eligible and having difficulty accessing or paying for health care. Founded in 1996, HLA provides individual representation and advice for more than 1,000 clients annually. HLA also engages in system-wide litigation, public policy advocacy and educational programming to advance its goals. Learn more about us at https://www.healthlawadvocates.org/.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this position will be remote.

Responsibilities

The DEI Intern will engage in the following work:

• Collaborate with the DEI chair, steering team, and HLA board to support HLA’s mission in advancing equity
• Attend and participate in DEI Committee and subcommittee meetings
• Help shape and support the subcommittees (Training & Capacity Building, Organizational Development, and Outreach, Community Partnerships & Policy) to design, implement, and evaluate projects and initiatives, which may include:

o  Completing an environmental scan of HLA’s written and digital materials to identify gaps in the materials and for opportunities to increase inclusivity and accessibility in existing materials;

o  Reviewing other legal service agency websites and public materials to note trends in language within the field;

o  Researching and compiling a list of vendors to support the Committee’s commitment to purchasing supplies from businesses owners who have experienced structural inequity;

o  Assisting in developing tools for collecting and interpreting demographic data;

o  Researching and compiling a list of community-based organizations that HLA may consider partnering with;

o  Exploring innovative models and best practices to improve outreach to communities and people who have experienced structural inequity;

o  Performing outreach, community engagement, and organizing efforts with HLA’s partner organizations and/or clients; and

o  Completing research as required to support the DEI Committee in compiling culturally inclusive training materials for pro bono attorneys and law students.

• Research the history and current scope of systemic racism within the realm of legal services in the United States and prepare a report on this topic for the Committee
• Report regularly to the DEI Committee chair and steering team

Qualifications

The DEI Intern will have the following skills and experience:

• An established track record of committing to advancing a socially just and equitable society
• Commitment to understanding and dismantling instances and systems of racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression and bias that lead to structural inequity, as well as a commitment to understanding intersectionality
• Ability to think creatively

Additionally, all HLA employees and interns are expected to have the following skills:

• Work both independently and as an effective team member
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and openness, with the desire and ability to listen and learn
• Understand and believe in the mission of the organization
• Embody the values of the organization, including a commitment to decreasing inequity in society

Compensation

The intern will serve at HLA for a period of 10 weeks over the summer of 2021 for 15-20 hours/week and receive compensation in the amount of $2,250 – $3,000. Exact start date and hours are flexible.