Summer 2027 Legal Intern, Human Rights Program

The role

The intern will conduct human rights and legal research and work on domestic and international advocacy. They will work under the direct supervision of the Program Director.

What you will do

• Conducting legal and policy research
• Drafting memoranda, affidavits and briefs
• Researching prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims
• Researching and drafting materials for public education and human rights documentation
• Researching and drafting materials for advocacy before regional and international bodies

Required qualifications

• Currently matriculated legal students
• Based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship
• Will have completed 1L year before the internship commences
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ACLU, including civil liberties, civil rights, social justice, and international human rights
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression
• A demonstrated / strong interest in protecting and expanding civil and human rights
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently, as well as in a team
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
• The initiative to see projects through to completion

Nice to have

• Knowledge and experience using the human rights framework and the international human rights system
• Knowledge and experience working on immigration and criminal legal system issues, especially extreme punishment, sentencing and juvenile justice

Benefits

• Stipend available for those who are lawfully authorized to work
• Partial stipend available for students who receive outside funding to bring total funding up to the ACLU's stipend amount

Before you apply

• Must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship
• Stipend is available for those who are lawfully authorized to work

About the company

The ACLU has worked for over 100 years to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. The Human Rights Program is part of the ACLU's Center for Democracy.