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
TJ Annerino
Trainee, Summer 2025
University of Baltimore School of Law
TJ Annerino, a third-year law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Auburn University, where she minored in communications and sociology. Initially interested in criminal justice, she discovered her passion for public interest law during her first year as a representative for the University of Baltimore Students for Public Interest (UBSPI). Serving as UBSPI’s president during her second and now the 3L representative, Annerino is dedicated to driving meaningful change in this field. Through her work with Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) and the MCDD, Annerino aims to advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Inspired by her sister’s journey in supporting Annerino’s nephew after his autism diagnosis, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her efforts and is working to make a tangible difference for families navigating similar challenges.
Quinesha Burden
Trainee, Summer 2025
University of Baltimore School of Law.
Quinesha Burden is a third-year law student attending the University of Baltimore School of Law. She has a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Coppin State University. She also holds a Master's in Bioethics from Johns Hopkins University's Berman Institute and a Master of Science in Anatomy Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Quinesha's primary interests include reproductive health, rights, and justice. She has been an employee of Kennedy Krieger Institute for 11 years and has been navigating through the field of neurodiverse pediatrics with an unwavering willingness to learn. Quinesha is a returning trainee to Project HEAL who will continue advocating for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
Lindsey Rosenbloom
Trainee, Summer 2025
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Lindsey Rosenbloom is a rising second-year law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Science in public health from the University of Miami, with a secondary major in psychology and minors in disability studies and philosophy. Prior to law school, Lindsey worked as a fifth-grade special education teacher in Boston. Lindsey discovered her passion for disability advocacy at a young age, shaping her academic path and professional ambitions. Through her work at Project HEAL, Lindsey hopes to navigate the complex intersections of healthcare, education, and disability law to advocate for equitable access to essential services and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Neha Banerji
Trainee, Summer 2025
Penn State Dickinson Law
Neha Banerji is a first-year law student at Penn State Dickinson Law with a bachelor's degree in psychology and public policy from the University of Maryland. Neha developed an interest in disability law from her time as a paraeducator in Howard County and her advocacy work as the founder of the Women's March Youth Empower Howard County chapter. She is actively involved in the Disability Law Caucus and serves on the executive board of the Human Rights Society at Penn State Dickinson Law. Through her internship at Project HEAL, Neha hopes to gain hands-on experience promoting equitable access to care and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities while exploring the field of health law. She looks forward to contributing to various initiatives and legal research to further develop her legal writing skills and assist in eliminating systemic barriers to treatment. Neha has a deep-rooted interest in public interest law, public policy, and creating a meaningful impact on the Baltimore community.
Amelia Culbertson
Trainee, Summer 2025
Towson High School
Amelia Culbertson is a rising junior at Towson High School in Baltimore County with a strong passion for justice and advocacy. She is deeply interested in the legal system and the many layers involved in protecting the rights of individuals involved in a case. Outside of school, Amelia is a dedicated soccer player who especially enjoys coaching and training children in adaptive soccer programs each fall. This work has fueled her commitment to inclusion and service. After high school, she plans to study political science or pre-law in college, with the goal of becoming a lawyer and a lifelong advocate for others.