About the Role

The ACLU seeks a Summer Legal Intern in the State Supreme Court Initiative of the ACLU’s National office.  This position is eligible for remote or hybrid work based out of our offices in New York, NY or Washington, D.C.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The SSCI is a team of attorneys and legal fellows, dedicated to strengthening and expanding the ACLU’s voice in state supreme courts. Working with the ACLU’s affiliates around the country, along with other projects in the ACLU’s national office, the SSCI identifies cutting-edge cases of constitutional import in state supreme courts and files briefs in those cases, either as amicus curiae or co-counsel. It also facilitates strategic collaboration among the ACLU’s state affiliates and other partners engaged in state constitutional litigation and works with affiliates to develop strategies for building civil liberties and civil rights doctrine in their states.

What You’ll Do:

The intern will be responsible for research and writing projects relating to litigation in state courts, with a focus on state supreme courts. The intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by assisting with civil rights and civil liberties litigation and research in state courts across the country. 

Your Day to Day:

• Draft memoranda, motions, and portions of briefs
• Conduct legal and factual research concerning issues and cases in state courts around the country, with a focus on state supreme courts
• Track cases and issues of interest to the SSCI

What You'll Bring:

The internship is open to students enrolled at U.S. law schools who will have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences.  

Interns should possess the following:  

• Excellent research skills, including by conducting internet searches and using Westlaw, PACER, and other law-related databases.  
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing, and both in-person and via teleconferencing services  
• Attention to detail, organization, time management, and adherence to deadlines  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite  

Future ACLU'ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

Internship Logistics

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship can be remote or hybrid based in our New York City or Washington DC office.
• Time Commitment: Summer internships require a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks.
• Internship Duration: Internships begin on May 24 or June 7.
• Stipend: A stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work. Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for the summer. Legal interns receive a stipend amount of $24/hour (stipends are taxed) 

Priority Application Deadline: October 30

While there is a priority deadline, our project is committed to reviewing all applications on a rolling basis until the closing of posting. 

Why the ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people. 

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.  

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please complete the Accommodation Request Form

If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.