Summer 2027 Legal Intern (Special Litigation & Appeals)

The role

The intern will work with the Director of Appellate Advocacy and Senior Supervising Attorney to advance the goals of the Legal Advocacy Department. Work includes appellate advocacy, investigating and initiating affirmative cases, and drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs.

What you will do

• Advance the goals of the Legal Advocacy Department
• Contribute to litigation at the Department level or within issue-based programs
• Focus on appellate advocacy projects
• Work on projects at various stages of litigation
• Investigate, develop, and initiate affirmative cases
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs
• Participate in strategy meetings with ACLU staff and coalition partners
• Participate in monthly department meetings

Required qualifications

• Must currently be attending law school
• Must demonstrate a passion for and a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU
• Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills
• Include preference and willingness to be based in San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno in application materials
• Application must include a PDF Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample

Nice to have

• Enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented

Benefits

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

Before you apply

• Applications from first year law students will not be reviewed until November 2026
• Undergraduate students will not be considered
• Applications must include a Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample in PDF format

About the company

The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues impact litigation to defend civil liberties and civil rights. The Department's staff is based in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno.