JWLA Kathy Para Student Internship

Help provide access to justice in our community by donating to the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association (JWLA) Kathy Para Student Internship Fund at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)!

JWLA’s mission is to actively promote gender equality in the legal profession, judiciary, and community at large. Through the creation and funding of this internship, JWLA seeks to promote access to justice, provide substantive legal experience for JWLA’s student membership, and foster a lifelong dedication to pro bono. This internship offers critical legal experience for a law student, while also providing needed legal services in our local community. This internship will fund at least one paid part-time position for a law student intern each summer to do the important work of JALA.

Every $18 donated funds 1 hour of student time!

Learn more and DONATE to the JWLA Internship Kathy Para Fund here.

Tax-deductible donations are made directly to JALA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit legal services organization.

Thank you for your support!

In January 2019, JWLA renamed the internship in honor of Kathy Bliss Para to recognize her lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and serving the underserved. Kathy Para retired from JALA as Pro Bono Director in 2019.

Law Student Applications For 2026 are now CLOSED.

Applications for summer 2027 will be opened in february 2027.

Read the job description and application details here.

Questions? Email JWLA Pro Bono & Community Liaison Alice Morris

Meet the 2026 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Emily Taylor-Hernandez

Emily Taylor-Hernandez is a pre-law student at Syracuse University. A resident of Fleming Island, Taylor-Hernandez is majoring in forensic Science and psychology, and she is a member of the Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law and Pre-Government Professional Fraternity, the Psi Chi National Honor Society, and the Pre-Law Society, among other student organizations. She was the recipient of the Community Service Award at Episcopal School of Jacksonville, and she said more than 600 hours of volunteer work has shaped her perspective.

“Volunteering has not only taught me how rewarding service can be but how I can use my voice to advocate for others” she said.

Meet the 2025 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Stefanny Carranza

My name is Stefanny Carranza and I am a 2L at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University - College of Law. I hold an undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida in Political Science and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Immigration Law.

This summer has been filled with learning how to file various different forms within the Immigration Unit. I am truly grateful to work alongside a great attorney who has taught me how to complete so many hands-on tasks with clients in the community who are in need of our assistance. As a law student, I am grateful for the experience gained through this internship. It has reassured me even more that the legal field is the correct career path for me! I can only say thank you to JWLA/JALA for nominating me and allowing me to learn so much this summer through this internship!

Meet the 2024 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Susan Cavailhon

Susan Cavailhon is a 2L at Jacksonville University College of Law. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida State University. Prior to JU Law, she received her Juris Master from Florida State University College of Law and studied abroad at the University of Oxford. This coming summer 2025, she will be interning with the U.S. Army JAG Corps, at Fort Drum in New York.

"My internship might be over, but my pro bono career has just started. Working at JALA has encouraged me to seek opportunities to volunteer and get involved with the community I live in. I have gained mentors, opportunities, and most importantly a better grasp on what it is I want to do in the future."

MEET THE 2021 JWLA KATHY PARA INTERN AT JALA: TOMI OLUNUGA

Tomi Olunuga is a law student at Florida A&M University College of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida. Tomi is a George C. Inn student representative and the President of the Federal Bar Association, where she has been able to create Judicial panels and outreach opportunities for students. Tomi is passionate about healthcare and looks forward to working in compliance and regulatory work to provide quality legal representation in the health field.

"Participating in the student internship at JALA was a wonderful experience. I was able to get hands-on experience and create amazing connections with women in the legal field who have helped and advised me even past the internship"

Meet the 2020 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Camille Weal-Thomas

Camille Weal-Thomas is a student at Florida Coastal School of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from Rowan University. Prior to law school, Camille was enlisted as a Military Police Officer in the United States Navy in Kings Bay, Georgia specializing in strategic asset protection. Camille aspires to make a difference in Jacksonville and assist the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association in its mission!

Meet the 2019 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Meagan Pearson

Meagan Pearson is a law student at Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from St. Petersburg College. Prior to law school, Meagan was a paralegal for the City of Jacksonville and a number of private law firms. She volunteers with an income tax assistance program and Duval county schools. She is also a member of Toastmasters International. She is interested in working at JALA to ensure justice and quality legal representation for all members of our community.

Meet the 2018 JWLA Kathy Para Intern at JALA: Christianne Wolfsen

Christianne L. Wolfsen is a joint J.D./M.P.P. student at University of Florida Levin College of Law and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute. She graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Chinese Language Studies and Econmics. Prior to law school, Ms. Wolfsen participated in Teach for America and was a math teacher at Andrew Jackson Senior High School here in Jacksonville.

Introducing Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.’s newest student intern Christianne Wolfsen! The “JWLA Student Internship at JALA” offers critical legal experience for a law student, while also providing needed legal services in our local community. This position was funded by the JWLA’s fundraising efforts. Christianne is pursuing a dual JD/MPP degree at UF Levin College of Law and Jacksonville University. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and was a teacher with Teach For America - Jacksonville prior to attending law school. https://www.jwla.org/student-internship
Posted by Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association (JWLA) on Saturday, May 12, 2018

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