RHLS Welcomes Summer Legal Students and PLAN Martin Luther King, Jr. Intern

Meet our summer students, in their own words: 

About Leanne Almeida, Rising 2L at the University of Temple Beasley School of Law

I am excited to join RHLS as the PLAN Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Legal Intern. My interest in affordable housing started in college, and grew over time as I learned how housing justice issues play a central role in social and economic justice struggles.

Over the past few years, I have had the chance to work with Renters United Philadelphia on their tenant organizing efforts. I also worked as a Tangled Title paralegal at Philadelphia Legal Assistance. Both these experiences affirmed my interest in housing justice by making clear how many Philadelphians lack access to quality, affordable housing.  

In my free time I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee and spending time with my cat, Paprika.

About John David Barnett, Rising 2L at Temple University Beasley School of Law

I am thrilled to be spending my summer with RHLS as a Legal Intern. I am eager to work with RHLS this summer, building meaningful experiences with clients and pursuing sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

I became interested in housing as an undergraduate, I worked for three years at my university’s housing office. I often witnessed the impact that limited affordable housing options had on students and their families. This job deepened my commitment to addressing the affordable housing crisis.

In my free time, you can find me going on runs on the Schuylkill Trail, playing video games in the company of my two cats, or visiting a nearby amusement park as I work towards filling out my list of rollercoasters I’ve ridden across the country.

About Becki Marcus, Rising 2L at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

I am excited to have the opportunity to join Regional Housing Legal Services as a Summer Legal Intern. I look forward to gaining experience in transactional work and legal research to support more equitable access to housing across Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Before law school, I worked at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Rhode Island (LISC), where I coordinated resident-driven advocacy efforts to advance housing justice in two mid-sized cities. Previously, I managed a multi-city initiative with the Nonviolence Institute focused on addressing gun violence through community-driven approaches.  

At Penn Carey Law, I am a member of the Penn Housing Rights Project and the Democracy Law Project. Through this work, I continue to develop an appreciation for Pennsylvania’s unique needs and opportunities to advance democratic participation and housing equity.

In my free time, I enjoy dancing, reading, and rollerblading along the Schuylkill River Trail.