Legal Assistant/ Client assessment specialistAt — The Hill Law Firm

Job Description

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The Legal Intern/Client Assessment Specialist will work under the supervision of a licensed attorney to support client intake, case preparation, and client communication activities within a legal services environment. This internship provides students with the opportunity to apply psychological principles related to human behavior, communication, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and professional ethics in a real-world setting.

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The intern will assist with conducting client intake interviews, gathering and organizing case-related information, documenting objective observations, and helping attorneys identify factors that may affect a client's ability to effectively participate in legal proceedings, including mediation, depositions, hearings, and trial preparation. The intern will observe and evaluate communication patterns, stress responses, interpersonal dynamics, and behavioral factors while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

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Additional responsibilities include preparing intake summaries, maintaining case files, assisting with legal correspondence and document organization, scheduling appointments, supporting case preparation, and serving as a liaison between clients and legal staff. The intern will gain experience in professional interviewing, active listening, trauma-informed communication, ethical decision-making, documentation, and client-centered support.

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This position is educational in nature and is designed to help students develop professional skills applicable to careers in psychology, behavioral sciences, counseling, law, mediation, social services, and related helping professions. The intern will not provide psychological diagnoses, mental health treatment, legal advice, clinical opinions, or determine legal strategies, but will instead learn how psychological and behavioral factors influence client interactions and participation within the legal system.

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Description of Tasks

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The student will perform the following duties under the supervision of a licensed attorney:

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Conduct and assist with client intake interviews to gather relevant background information and assess client needs.
Observe and document communication styles, emotional responses, stress indicators, interpersonal dynamics, and behavioral factors that may affect client participation in legal proceedings.
Prepare objective intake summaries, client notes, and case-related documentation for attorney review.
Apply active listening, rapport-building, and trauma-informed communication techniques during client interactions.
Assist in preparing clients for mediation, depositions, hearings, and other legal proceedings by helping explain procedures and expectations.
Monitor client engagement, responsiveness, and participation throughout the legal process and communicate observations to the supervising attorney.
Organize, review, and maintain client files, case records, and supporting documentation.
Conduct legal and case-related research as assigned to support case preparation and client services.
Assist with drafting professional correspondence, intake documents, and other case-related materials.
Participate in discussions regarding professional ethics, confidentiality, client behavior, conflict resolution, and decision-making processes within legal settings.
Observe attorney-client meetings, mediation preparation activities, and case strategy discussions when appropriate and permitted.
Collaborate with attorneys and legal staff to support case management, client communication, and litigation preparation activities.
Reflect on the application of psychological concepts, including communication, motivation, stress, trauma, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning within the legal system.

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The majority of internship responsibilities involve professional-level client interaction, behavioral observation, documentation, communication, and case-management activities designed to develop skills relevant to psychology, behavioral sciences, counseling, mediation, law, and related helping professions.

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Training and Supervision

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The student will receive comprehensive training and supervision from the supervising attorney throughout the internship.

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Training will include:

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Initial orientation covering office procedures, workplace expectations, confidentiality requirements, legal ethics, professional conduct, and client privacy standards.
Instruction on trauma-informed interviewing techniques, active listening, rapport-building, and effective client communication strategies.
Training on client intake procedures, documentation standards, case file management, and objective observation and reporting methods.
Observation of attorney-client meetings, case preparation activities, mediation preparation, and litigation support processes.
Ongoing mentorship regarding professional boundaries, ethical considerations, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and client engagement.
Weekly supervisory meetings to review completed work, discuss client interactions, provide performance feedback, answer questions, and connect internship experiences to psychological concepts and professional development goals.
Continuous feedback on written documentation, communication skills, professionalism, and application of psychological principles within the legal setting.

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The supervising attorney will provide regular guidance, feedback, and opportunities for reflection to ensure the student achieves the stated learning outcomes and gains meaningful professional experience related to psychology and human behavior in legal environments.

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Learning Outcomes

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By the end of the internship, the student will be able to:

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Apply psychological principles related to communication, behavior, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning within a legal services environment.
Conduct professional client interviews using active listening, rapport-building, and trauma-informed communication techniques.
Identify behavioral, emotional, and situational factors that may affect a client's participation in legal proceedings while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Demonstrate ethical decision-making and confidentiality practices when handling sensitive client information.
Prepare objective written summaries and professional documentation based on client interactions and observations.
Evaluate how stress, trauma, conflict, motivation, and cognitive processes influence client behavior and decision-making.
Collaborate effectively with legal professionals while understanding the role of psychological factors in litigation, mediation, and dispute resolution.
Demonstrate increased professional competence in interviewing, observation, communication, and case management skills relevant to psychology-related careers.