Law Student - Public Interest in Washington, DC

Public Interest

Washington, DC

Law Student - Public Interest in Washington, DC

Law Student

No

Job Title:
Fall 2025 Legal Internship

Job Description and Duties:
The organization is seeking rising second- and third-year law students for a legal internship during fall 2025. The internship will mainly involve completing legal research and writing, supporting attorneys in client advocacy, and interacting with clients through intakes or other legal services projects. The organization utilizes legal and policy strategies to combat discrimination, foster health equity, and restore opportunities for individuals with arrest or conviction records, substance use disorders, and HIV/AIDS. With offices in New York City and Washington, ., the organization employs a multi-faceted approach that includes impact litigation, legal services, education, and policy advocacy to realize its mission and create systemic change.

The legal team provides representation and other assistance in areas such as discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and other areas based on a person’s conviction records, past or current drug use, or HIV/AIDS status. They also work on conviction record sealing, occupational and professional licensing for people with conviction records, and privacy rights for people who use/used drugs or who have HIV. More information about the organization's impact litigation, direct legal services, know-your-rights resources, and special projects can be found on their website.

The position can be conducted virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format. The organization aims to customize internship assignments and projects to align with interns' interests, based on the legal team's needs. Responsibilities may include:

- Conducting legal research and analysis on federal, state, and local law
- Performing client intakes and interviewing
- Providing information, referrals, and educational resources to clients
- Assisting with sealing motions and applications for related relief
- Supporting attorneys on pending litigation or administrative proceedings
- Researching and drafting know-your-rights and public education materials
- Participating in know-your-rights trainings and outreach

Legal interns may have the opportunity to observe administrative and court proceedings and participate in internal meetings with the organization's policy team, coalition meetings, and public events.

Time Commitment:
Semester interns are expected to work at least 15 hours weekly for a minimum of ten weeks. The office operates in a hybrid model, with one day in the office and the rest working from home. Generally, the legal team works from the office on the same day, typically Wednesday. For in-person internships, interns can visit the office once a week or more frequently if they prefer.

Compensation:
The organization offers an hourly rate of $22 for legal interns who do not receive funding or credit for their internships. They also collaborate on a case-by-case basis with students and their law schools to secure academic credit for internships/externships.

Application Instructions:
Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and legal writing sample to the provided email address. The subject line must clearly indicate “Fall 2025 Legal Internship - NY.” The cover letter should express a statement of interest in the organization's work. The legal writing sample should be five to ten pages long. Applicants must submit their resume, cover letter, and writing sample as one PDF document. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and incomplete applications will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Qualifications:
- Must be a rising 2L or 3L law student
- Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and proofreading skills
- Ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and see projects through to completion
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and interest in the rights of people with criminal legal system involvement, people living with HIV/AIDS, and people who use or have used drugs
- Commitment to approaching these issues through racial justice and harm reduction lenses
- Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply

The organization is an equal opportunity employer, and members of the organization's stakeholder populations are strongly encouraged to apply.