One local organization is helping recently-graduated lawyers secure summer paid internships.

The State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division recently announced its plan to fund several 10-week legal aid internships in an effort to give new law school graduates some work experience amid a tough economy.

Overall, the YLD hopes to fund five $5,000 internships in public interest law next summer. According to an article by the Fulton County Daily Report, the organization will use the proceeds from its annual black-tie fundraiser to fund the internships.

The YLD is waiting to see exactly how much money it will have for internships, which will be offered throughout the state, before it makes alliances with nonprofits and begins accepting applications. One well-known organization, Georgia Legal Services Program, has already shown interest in partnering with the YLD.

"(We want to) match the growing number of people who can't afford legal services with the growing number of young lawyers trying to get out there and get skills to make themselves more marketable," YLD President Amy V. Howell said, adding that any new lawyers looking to gain some experience will be eligible to apply.

The YLD came up with the idea to fund the internships after it received complaints from many new lawyers who don't have the work experience to market themselves and are therefore unable to get jobs. In addition to the declining economy, new lawyers looking for jobs also are being forced to compete with laid-off lawyers who generally have years of legal experience.

At the end of last year, Jerry Kowalski, co-founder of legal consultant Kowalski & Associates, predicted that hiring would decrease for summer associates this year by 35 percent from 2008.