Legal Intern

ACLU

. Conduct legal research and analysis .

Posted 11/5/2026internshipUnited StatesEntry Level💰 $24 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong legal research and writing capabilities, with a focus on issues related to racial justice and criminal legal system change. Proficient in collaborating within a team environment while maintaining strong organizational skills and independent work ethic.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Legal ResearchLegal WritingCollaborationOrganizational SkillsMicrosoft Office Suite

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal ResearchLegal WritingComplex Legal AnalysisWeb-Based Research

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsTeamworkIndependence

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft WordMicrosoft Excel

Certifications & Qualifications

J.D. DegreeABA-Accredited Law School

Industry Keywords

Racial JusticeCriminal Legal SystemHomelessnessMass IncarcerationPretrial DetentionSurveillancePublic DefenseProsecutorial AbusesCapital PunishmentRacial Discrimination

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct legal research and analysis
Draft legal memos, briefs, and other written products
Support the Center Director, Staff Attorney, and Legal Fellow on assigned tasks
Collaborate with ACLU projects and affiliates on litigation and advocacy related to unhoused justice, racial justice, and criminal legal system change
Work on issues including criminalization of homelessness, mass incarceration, over-criminalization, racial injustice, pretrial detention, surveillance, police practices, public defense, sentencing, prosecutorial abuses, capital punishment, detention conditions, and racial discrimination

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently matriculated legal student based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship
Second- or third-year law school student pursuing a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Must have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences
Demonstrated commitment to the issues addressed by the Trone Center for Justice and Equality
Outstanding legal research, writing, and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and in a team
Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment
Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel
Lawful authorization to work for stipend eligibility

Benefits

Comp & perks

$24/hour stipend for legal interns (stipends are taxed)
Partial stipend available for students receiving outside funding, bringing total funding up to the ACLU’s stipend amount
Remote or hybrid internship options
10 consecutive weeks
Full-time summer internship schedule of 35 hours/week
Accessibility accommodations available
Interview accommodation request support