Open to Cornell Law students, TAP offers for-credit and paid opportunities—including internships and externships in housing law and tenant advocacy.
Tenants Advocacy Practicum
Fall & Spring Semester
In this 3-credit practicum, students support tenants through legal research, case management, and direct advocacy. Under faculty supervision, law students handle real housing cases—such as evictions and habitability issues.
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Course Structure
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| HOW TO APPLY:
Submit a short statement of interest for the Tenants Advocacy Practicum via the Cornell Law School’s student community website before class registration. Placement must be approved and meet all program participation requirements. |
Pro Bono Scholars Program
Spring Semester
The Pro Bono Scholars Program allows eligible 3L (J.D.) students to take the New York Bar Exam in February and spend their final semester earning 12 credits (520 total hours of casework + classwork) through full-time pro bono legal work for low-income clients.
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Course Structure
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| HOW TO APPLY:
Submit a written application to Professor Dena Bauman (drb78) before late July. Placement must be pre-approved and meet pro bono and educational requirements. |
Paid Summer Internship
Hybrid | June-July (8 weeks)
Our legal internship offers law students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in eviction defense and housing law. Interns work directly with clients, conduct legal research, draft pleadings, and may represent tenants in housing court under a student practice order. Interns are supervised by faculty attorneys and receive structured training in client interviewing, case management, and professional ethics. This internship is ideal for students seeking practical litigation experience and a deeper understanding of housing justice in upstate New York.
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OPEN TO: J.D. Students (rising 2Ls and 3Ls) |
Fall/Spring Legal Externship
Hybrid | Semester
Our 4-6 credit externship allows law students to serve as student-attorneys representing tenants in housing court. Externs manage their own caseloads under attorney supervision—conducting client interviews, drafting legal documents, and advocating in court through a student practice order. The program emphasizes real-world litigation experience, with training in landlord-tenant law, case strategy, ethics, and client-centered advocacy. This externship is ideal for students seeking courtroom exposure and a deeper understanding of housing justice in high-need communities.
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OPEN TO: J.D. Students (rising 2Ls and 3Ls) |
Open to recent law school graduates, TAP offers career opportunities in housing law and tenant advocacy, providing direct client representation and impactful legal work in the fight for housing justice.
Tenants Advocacy Fellowship
One-year, full-time fellowship for a NY–barred attorney (or July bar taker) to advance housing and racial justice in Ithaca through policy work, community-lawyering, and direct legal services.
The Tenants Advocacy Fellowship is a one-year, full-time position for a NY-barred attorney or July bar taker to advance housing and racial justice in Ithaca. Fellows provide direct legal services, mentor law students, and collaborate with community partners to protect tenants’ rights.
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Fellowship Details
Length: 1 year
Pay: $78,000 + benefits; eligible for loan repayment assistance.
Who Can Apply: 3L/recent ABA law grad; NYS-barred or July bar taker.
Apply
Send: cover sheet, resume, 3-page interest statement, writing sample (≤10 pages), 2 recommendation letters, law transcript.
In statement: share commitment to housing/racial justice, relevant experience, future goals, and ideas for expanding the hotline.
| For any questions or to submit your application, contact Professor Niebel: william.niebel@cornell.edu |
Open to Cornell law students, recent law graduates, and any interested attorneys, TAP offers volunteer opportunities to provide free pro bono legal advice under attorney supervision.
The Legal Volunteer is a flexible, remote, part-time volunteer position for a Cornell law student, recent law graduate, or interested attorney to provide free pro bono legal advice to residential tenants throughout upstate New York under attorney supervision. Although this position is unpaid, volunteer hours can be counted towards the 50 pro bono hours required for bar admission in the state of New York. Volunteering can also prepare law students for advanced casework in the Practicum, internship, and externship programs.
Responsibilities will include:
Once a case is closed, another case will be assigned. Volunteers can choose to take more than one case at a time, but volunteers must always be working on at least one case at any given time.
Details
Length: Flexible start & end dates — you choose!
(minimum: 1 month, maximum: 2 years)
Pay: Unpaid; satisfies pro bono hour requirement for New York State bar admission.
Who Can Apply: Cornell law students (including 1Ls and LLMs), recent law graduates, attorneys
Apply
Submit a Volunteer Profile. Required sections include general information (name, contact, Cornell affiliation), criminal history, availability, resume (must include education, experience, and skills), and the contact information of 3 references.
| For any questions, contact tenantsadvocacy@cornell.edu |
