Summer 2027 Criminal Law & Immigration Project Internship

The role

Interns will perform legal and policy research and analysis. They will help author advocacy materials, court documents, and demand letters, or assist with legislative campaigns.

What you will do

• Perform legal and policy research and analysis
• Author advocacy materials
• Author portions of court documents
• Author pre-litigation demand letters
• Assist with legislative or other local campaigns
• Attend and participate in hearings at the state and county level
• Attend meetings with policy-makers and advocates
• Attend appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions
• Attend and participate in departmental meetings

Required qualifications

• Currently enrolled in law school or a graduate program in criminal justice, public policy, or a related field
• Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills
• Commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU
• Passion for criminal justice
• Include preference and willingness to be based in San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno in application materials

Benefits

• Funding provided for students coming from schools that do not offer summer funding

Before you apply

• Applications from undergraduate students will not be considered
• Applications from 1Ls will not be reviewed until November 2026
• Applications must include a Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample in PDF format

About the company

The ACLU of Northern California Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues impact litigation to defend civil liberties and civil rights. The Department's work focuses on Criminal Law & Immigration, Democracy, Speech & Technology, and Special Litigation & Appeals.