Course-Credit Education Law Internship

Overview

This internship opportunity is designed for law students passionate about educational equity, civil rights, and movement lawyering. Interns will gain hands-on experience working within an interdisciplinary team committed to protecting and advancing the rights of students and families in public schools across the U.S. South.

The internship is open to law students pursuing a J.D. (or equivalent) who are capable of performing staff-level work under minimal supervision. It is intended for students seeking academic course credit, with all credit arrangements handled directly between the student and their university. Supervision, mentorship, and required institutional documentation will be provided throughout the internship.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief Legal Analyst, interns may:

• Research and draft analyses of developments in education law
• Assist with preparing amicus briefs, legal advocacy letters, and other legal communications
• Participate in internal and external strategy sessions for civil rights litigation
• Support the drafting of legal complaints related to education justice
• Contribute to investigations of civil rights concerns in K-12 and higher education
• Conduct research related to school discipline, censorship, immigrant student rights, harassment and bullying, and other civil rights issues
• Assist with advocacy projects, policy review, and community engagement efforts
• Participate in team meetings, strategy discussions, and project planning
• Complete administrative or project coordination tasks as needed

Project assignments are matched to the intern’s strengths, interests, academic goals, and ongoing legal needs.

Areas of Special Interest

Applicants with experience or interest in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Movement and community lawyering
• School funding and legal issues relating to school privatization
• School discipline and school safety
• Identity-based bullying and harassment
• Immigrant student rights
• Censorship in K-12 and higher education
• Civil rights and education justice advocacy

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Authentic connection to and compassion for marginalized students and their communities
• Demonstrated commitment to equal educational opportunity and civil rights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong time management and ability to multitask
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Curiosity and passion about education law and policy issues
• Self-motivation, reliability, and strong ethical judgment
• Ability to present oneself professionally

Program Structure

• Format: Fully remote
• Duration: Approximately 8-10 weeks (varies by semester and university requirements)
• Start Date: Flexible, based on academic term
• Weekly Hours: 15-30 hours per week, depending on internship course requirements
• Compensation: Unpaid; this internship is intended for course credit. Students are encouraged to seek school-based or external public interest funding if available.
• Academic Credit: All credit arrangements must be coordinated directly between the student and their university.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.