For many years, interns have been an integral part of the Voluntary Legal Services Program's (VLSP) efforts to provide legal assistance to the poor in the Sacramento community. As a primarily volunteer-run organization, VLSP depends on its student volunteers to perform a variety of client intake and administrative tasks so that the attorneys can focus on giving legal advice to clients. And while VLSP benefits from the efforts of its interns, the interns gain just as much from working with VLSP.

Vicki Jacobs, VLSP's managing attorney, says that while some law students volunteer, the interns are mostly pre-law undergraduates who come to VLSP to gain experience working in the legal field. Interns are assigned various tasks including interviewing clients to determine their legal needs and their eligibility for services, helping clients and attorneys to complete paperwork, performing administrative and clerical duties, and referring cases out to local attorneys when a client requires direct representation.

Interns can receive school credit for their work, and such volunteer work certainly always looks good on a resume or law school application. But Jacobs points out that the student volunteers generally get involved with VLSP for more noble reasons. "Most of these students have a social conscience bent to them. This job is about helping people; the students aren't doing a lot of cutting edge legal work -- they're learning to interview people, they're gaining listening skills. They're young and enthusiastic and committed to the program; we need the students there to talk to clients. They listen, which in some ways is as important as giving legal help."

Talking to clients is one of the things most interns like best about their work with VLSP. Yee Truong, a political science and sociology major at UC Davis, began volunteering for VLSP in the fall of 2000 and is now a clinic coordinator for the probate clinic. "The thing I liked best about the internship was the ability I had to work directly with clients and attorneys," she said. "I was able to actually sit down with clients and talk to them about their legal problems ... I was able to get a feel for what it's like to practice law."

Vickie Fernandes agrees. A UC Davis undergraduate majoring in history and political science, Fernandes began volunteering for VLSP in January of 2000, and like Truong, was soon offered a position as a clinic coordinator. She continues to work as a translator for Spanish speaking clients in the debt collection defense clinic and the employment law clinic, and she says she loves it.

"I think this type of internship really leaves a person with a feeling of satisfaction, because so often you get the chance to help those who can't help themselves," Fernandes said. "It has given me the chance to meet diverse and interesting people. Also, the VLSP office is an extremely supportive atmosphere, and I've made a ton of good friends there."

Law student volunteers can be given an even greater range of legal tasks than the undergraduate interns. Heather McLaughlin, a second year law student at UC Davis, began volunteering in January of 2001, during her first year of law school. When she began, she interviewed clients at the employment clinic, and after consulting with the volunteer attorneys she would advise the clients about their legal options. In May of 2001 she was hired as a full time law clerk to work with both the employment law clinic and the debt collection clinic, and she has continued to work part time through the school year.

"As a law clerk I've had the opportunity to continue my work at the employment law clinic and to help with the administration of the debt collection clinic. I also draft answers to complaints, respond to discovery requests, assist clients with wage claims, write letters, do research and compose self-help packets for our clients on a variety of issues," she said.

McLaughlin feels that she has gained invaluable experience at VLSP. "You gain knowledge of the law, and you learn to deal with many different types of people. My research skills have improved, as has my writing, and I've been exposed to a variety of proceedings, procedures and legal writings that I'll be confronted with on a daily basis in practice."

Staff attorney Laura Bowersett feels that the interns are critical to the program's ability to serve the greatest number of people. "It's just amazing how much help it is. We can see probably twice as many people because of the interns' help." But clearly, the students are receiving as much benefit from their work as VLSP is. Truong, Fernandes and McLaughlin all say they would encourage other students to volunteer. As Fernandes said, "I would definitely recommend the internship to anyone interested in the legal field or to anyone interested in seeing how a non-profit organization functions." Truong adds, "I've gained experience that I can take with me to law school and to any future career."

Students interested in learning more about VLSP's internship program should contact Vicki Jacobs at (916)551-2162.