Working at PHLP

Working at PHLP gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals; to influence rules and policies that impact vast numbers of people; and to protect the dignity and health care rights of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

We are blessed with amazing staff, interns, and volunteers. Our team consists of driven, bright, compassionate individuals who bring great ideas, hard work, and a willingness to dive right in.

At PHLP, we are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace.  All applicants are invited to include in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and inclusive perspective of our staff and our work.

Please see below for open positions and click the plus sign (+) to expand each position to learn more about it. This page is current as of October 2, 2024.

  • Law Student Internship Opportunity – Summer 2025
    Posted October 2, 2024

    The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) seeks law student interns to join our Philadelphia or Pittsburgh office on a hybrid basis during summer 2025. Eligible students are those that will have completed their first or second year of law school by next summer. When applying, please indicate whether you are applying to be in PHLP’s Pittsburgh of Philadelphia office.

    Intern responsibilities include client interviewing, handling a small caseload of Medicaid eligibility and service denial cases under the supervision of a Staff Attorney, assisting attorneys and paralegals with case preparation, observation of both in- person and telephonic administrative hearings, research projects with a legal or public policy focus, and statewide health policy advocacy.

    The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:

    • Commitment to and passion for PHLP’s mission of improving access to quality healthcare for all Pennsylvanians
    • “Self-starter”; able to work independently without strict oversight
    • Strong oral and written communication skills
    • Excellent interpersonal skills
    • Experience or interest in a client-facing role, working with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
    • Demonstrated interest in experiencing nonprofit legal/advocacy work from the inside
       

    PHLP particularly welcomes summer internship applications from law students interested in later seeking a post-graduate public interest fellowship.

    This is a full-time, 10-week internship based in either our Philadelphia or Pittsburgh office. We expect our intern(s) to work on a hybrid schedule for Summer 2025 with both in-office and remote work on a weekly basis.

     PHLP is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and life experiences, especially those who have personal or lived experience with Medicaid or other public benefit programs.  In your cover letter, we encourage you to tell us how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity and cultural perspective of our staff and clients and enhance our legal practice.
     

    Our Mission and Work

    The mission of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) is protecting and advancing health care rights through free legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy.

    PHLP is the only legal aid organization in Pennsylvania dedicated to protecting and advancing health care rights. For more than 30 years, PHLP has provided legal counseling and representation to tens of thousands of individuals from across the state, helping them get and keep health care coverage and services. Taking what is learned from individual cases, PHLP advocates for large-scale policy changes that help others across the state and engages in community education that builds capacity among healthcare consumers, providers, and other advocates.   
     

    Compensation

    A stipend of up to $7,500 is available for summer interns who are do not have other sources of funding. Actual stipend amounts will depend on available funding, the number of interns requiring assistance, and any other funding sources available to the intern. Interns are strongly encouraged to apply for public interest funding programs available through their law schools.
     

    How to Apply:

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and interviews are conducted through January 2025.

    To apply, send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Marissa LaWall, Supervising Attorney, at hr@phlp.org.

    Click here to download this announcement.

  • For current 3Ls and recent graduates interested in fellowships funded through their law schools or Foundations such as Independence, Skadden, Equal Justice Works, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, and others, please send an email expressing interest to dcasserly@phlp.org and eguay@phlp.org.  

    Please include the following items in your email:

    • Statement of interest explaining your connection to PHLP's mission, why you are interested in working at PHLP, and the identities, perspectives, and experiences that you would bring to PHLP and our work. 
    • Resume 
    • Contact information (email and phone) for two references
    • Writing sample
    • Unofficial law school transcript
       

    While ideas for project proposals are welcome, they are not required. We review and accept candidates on a rolling basis but recommend applying well ahead of the fellowship application deadline.