Since 1986, 1000 Friends of Florida’s experienced staff has partnered with citizens, community and state leaders, conservation and business groups, and others to promote a more sustainable future for one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

The Apalachicola Riverkeeper engages in multiple law-based projects to protect the Apalachicola Bay and River. They provide opportunities for students to conduct legal research on pertinent issues, retrieve and review agency files, attend substantive meetings with stakeholders, agency representatives, and other organizations, and attend public hearings and meetings of local governments.

The Big Bend Coastal Conservancy (BBCC) is a conservation program spanning the coastal zones of Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor and Dixie Counties in the panhandle of North Florida. We have been active since 2009, and formalized this non-profit conservation program on June 8, 2010 on World Ocean Day. Our region has unique natural and cultural resources vital to the local economy and our way of life. Conserving these unique coastal and marine areas is important because of the extreme diversity and because of the ecological importance. The Big Bend Coastal Conservancy recognizes the importance of promoting the region for sustainable enjoyment, improving the public’s education through recreational opportunities and sustaining the integrity of our fisheries and coastal habitats.

A small Legal Department (3 attorneys) gives the legal interns a varied experience, mainly in environmental and administrative law, but with some small exposure to contract law, labor law, and property law. As a local environmental regulatory agency with various State delegations (and indirectly Federal delegations), interns get exposure and experience not only in local government regulatory processes, but also State and Federal environmental regulations. 

Primary responsibilities include legal research; drafting of memoranda; drafting of motions/pleadings; and analysis and review of settlement documents. Other responsibilities, depending on attorneys’ current assignments, may involve attending strategy sessions, staff meetings, Commission meetings, negotiations, public hearings, etc.; participating in rulemaking meetings and drafting rules; attending field inspections; attending legal proceedings; reviewing contracts for goods and services; and analyzing environmental and administrative bills proposed by the Florida Legislature.  

During state legislative session (in the spring) students will track bills filed during the legislative session, perform bill analysis for these bills, research and report on legislative history for statuses related to proposed bills, research and report on litigation associated with proposed bills, attend and report on committee and stakeholder meetings for these bills, brief unit staff on bills and provide recommendations, accompany unit staff to other policy meetings in order to increase the student’s experience with and exposure to this work environment, and complete other assigned research tasks for issues relevant to the unit.

Outside of state legislative session (in the summer and fall) students will perform special research projects based on anticipated or proposed legislation for the following session, analyze and report on proposed agency rulemaking, research issues associated with potential or existing litigation, analyze and report on propped agency litigation in consideration of legislative history, associated litigation, and other matters; brief unit staff and provide recommendations, attend and report on meetings with stakeholders on agency matters and legislative concepts, attend and report on committees during fall legislative committee weeks, follow and report on federal legislative developments and participate in regular communications with DC office.

Students conduct legal research and draft documents relating to environmental protection issues.

The goals of our organization are to enhance public awareness of responsible pet ownership; coordinate competent, professional assistance for state and local governments to develop a unified and cohesive team to address animal issues; provide proficient and skillful representation of the interests of animals in legal proceedings; and to protect the rights and promote the best interests of animals.

Students would be involved in researching, analyzing and drafting legislation, tracking legislation, attending public hearings and analyzing testimony, and possibly speaking in such hearings.

TRLS is a local non-profit corporation funded for the sole purpose of providing free legal services to low income, eligible clients in twelve counties in North Central Florida. TRLS mission is to provide free quality legal services to the poor, abused, disabled and elderly and to empower and educate them through preventative legal education. Areas of legal service include Consumer Protection, Housing Preservation, Public Benefits, Family Law, and Community Education and Economic Development. While help in any of TRLS offices is acceptable, preference will be given to students interested in assisting with the Equal Justice Works project. Student volunteers can expect to help staff advice clinics under supervision of an attorney, analyze and discuss legal problems of the poor, and help in community outreach programs.