Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) has a long-standing tradition of welcoming law students during the summer months to intern with our attorneys.
This summer, the three students working with us have some incredible life experiences that they bring to this work. We look forward to sharing some of the exciting projects they’ll work on!
Mary Rincon
Mary Rincon is entering her second year at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. She will work with Judy Berkman, Senior Counsel, on legal issues for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.
Prior to entering law school, Mary worked for Habitat for Humanity in Central Arizona. She also worked as a construction estimator for a commercial contractor in Northern Virginia and as a legal assistant for a family law attorney.
During her time at Habitat in Arizona, Mary worked on the construction site with volunteers and homeowners. She shared that the experience “changed her life in many ways,” and that she loved watching new homeowners reach goals in their lives that previously felt out of reach.
When Mary isn’t working with RHLS, she enjoys hiking in the Wissahickon with her two sons, volunteering for her neighborhood sports association, playing games, and family movie nights.
Rita Burns
Rita will be working with Staff Attorney, Kim Dolan and Deputy Director/Senior Attorney for Multi-Family Housing, Dina Schlossberg to assist with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) deals. As a rising third-year law student at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, Rita is passionate about affordable housing and homeownership protections.
Prior to working at RHLS, Rita interned with Philadelphia Legal Assistance in their Consumer Housing Unit focusing on mortgage servicing and foreclosures.
As a part of a law school clinic, Rita and two other students worked with Community Legal Services to create a report addressing property owners choosing to opt out of Section 8 project-based housing contracts, and how to protect tenants when this occurs. The report will be presented at PACDC’s upcoming Forward Equitable Development Conference: Building Stronger Neighborhoods Now and for the Future with CLS attorneys Rasheedah Phillips and Rachel Garland, on June 28th at 2:15 PM.
In addition to her work with RHLS, Rita enjoys listening to podcasts, exploring Philadelphia, and is passionate about turtle conservation. She has worked on turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica and on the New Jersey Coast.
Chaundra Ulinfun
Chaundra will also be working with Dina Schlossberg and Kim Dolan this summer. She is a rising third-year law student at Suffolk University Law School in Boston, MA.
Prior to working at RHLS, Chaundra interned at the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse, where she assisted litigants with court documentation. She also interned for the Executive Office of Health & Human Services, where she assisted staff wth case research, drafting, and trial preparation. She is also one of nine students that will be part of Suffolk University Law School’s Indigenous People Rights Clinic, where she will assist Native American tribes with nation-building activities as well as advocacy.
Before entering law school, Chaundra worked as a licensed associate at The Vanguard Group and received her Series 6 and 63 Financial Securities Licenses, which enabled her to assist clients with retail and brokerage transactions.