The ACLU seeks a Graduate or Legal Intern for the Justice Policy & Government Affairs team within the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington D.C. This internship is remote.
Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated graduate or legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.
The Team:
The National Political Advocacy Department (NPAD) works to strengthen the efforts of the ACLU at federal, state, and local levels of government. The department harnesses the political power that comes from having more than eight million members and supporters, as well as affiliates in every state. By organizing grassroots lobbying and issue campaigns using modern tactics, the ACLU seeks to achieve change as profound in the legislative, administrative, and electoral arenas as it has accomplished through the courts.
What You’ll Do:
The intern will work on legal and policy research and writing-related projects centered on criminal justice. They will assist members of our team with researching and analyzing legislation, elected officials, and relevant developments in the political and advocacy landscapes on the state and federal levels. They will help prepare advocacy and public education materials, correspondence, and reports as needed.
Your Day to Day
- Assist with identifying opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas through multiple methods at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Conduct legal and policy research, and analyze state and federal legislation, advocacy efforts, and related legal and policy issues
- Monitor legal and legislative developments across states, and assist with identifying opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights
- Prepare advocacy and public education materials, such as model policies and toolkits for ACLU affiliates, partners, and others; draft memorandum and other correspondence
- As needed, assist with coordinating briefings for government officials and with preparing and drafting testimony on pending legislation
- Help manage projects and coordinate strategy to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners
What You’ll Bring:
- Currently enrolled law or graduate student
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, ending mass incarceration, and challenging racism in the criminal legal system
- Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to conduct complex research, analysis and fact-finding
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion
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 conflict
Internship Logistics: