Since 2008, Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) at Kennedy Krieger Institute has partnered with law schools to provide meaningful internship and externship opportunities for their highest achieving students. A legal internship with Project HEAL is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative public interest legal project through real world experiences helping underserved populations.
Project HEAL trainees have the opportunity to conduct legal research and draft memoranda on special education law; conduct client intakes and interviews; copy educational and medical records and organize client files; draft complaints for the Maryland State Department of Education for alleged violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004); draft presentations and trainings for Kennedy Krieger healthcare professionals and educators, patients and families, and community groups; attend advocacy group meetings on a monthly basis and attend bi-monthly Maryland Special Education Lawyers meetings.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Mallory Legg (Legg@KennedyKrieger.org). The application windows are as follows:
- Spring Semester: September 1st - November 1st
- Summer Semester: December 15th - February 15th
- Fall Semester: May 15th - July 15th
If accepted, trainees must provide immunization records, including covid-19 and flu vaccines, and may be required to receive titers as part of a health screening.
Current Trainees
Alexandra Ozazewski
Trainee, Spring 2026
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Alexandra Ozazewski is a second-year law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in legal studies from Bucknell University, graduating magna cum laude. Alexandra’s interest in health and disability law is rooted in her academic background in psychology, her volunteer work supporting youth experiencing grief and mental health challenges, and her exposure to regulatory and compliance issues through her legal studies. Through her work at Project HEAL, Alexandra hopes to develop her skills in health policy and disability advocacy, gain deeper insight into the legal and structural barriers facing individuals with developmental disabilities, and contribute meaningful support to families navigating complex care systems. She is committed to a career grounded in public service, health law, and improving access to equitable, compassionate legal support.
Maria Yeo
Trainee, Spring 2026
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Maria Yeo is a 3L at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of California, Irvine. She developed an interest in working with children through her experiences working as an ESL teacher and as a tutor. At Project HEAL, she hopes to apply her past work experience to effectively advocate for young clients while gaining new knowledge on education law
Simon Younes
Trainee, Spring 2026
University of Maryland, College Park
Simon Younes is a final‑year graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations. His interest in disability advocacy began through his work as a student advocate, where he helped improve accessibility within his community. During his internship with Project HEAL, Simon hopes to gain broad exposure to the organization’s work, including supporting families and patients through legal and professional guidance. He looks forward to learning how to effectively represent the needs of people with disabilities in practice while building on his knowledge of public health and law. After completing his master’s degree, Simon plans to continue researching and writing on topics in International Relations, informed by a deeper understanding of disability issues and inclusive policy.