Legal Extern Fall 2026

Overview

This role is a paid legal externship within the Legal Department of a national animal welfare organization. The Legal Department supports the organization's mission to prevent animal cruelty and end animal homelessness by providing strategic legal advice, managing risk, and ensuring compliance across various legal areas including intellectual property, contracts, employment law, tax, and enforcement of animal cruelty laws.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on corporate and legal issues.
• Assist in providing legal counsel on intellectual property and general business matters.
• Review and draft corporate contracts and legal documents such as confidentiality agreements, content licenses, and consulting contracts.
• Advise internal clients to support negotiations with third parties.
• Perform background research to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and internal policies.
• Analyze diverse substantive and procedural legal issues relevant to organizational initiatives and programs.
• Develop templates, resources, and educational materials.

Legal Interns report directly to the Director, Legal Counsel and do not have supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in law school.
• Must be able to be supervised by an attorney licensed to practice law in New York or New Jersey.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Proficiency in English.
• Commitment to improving animal welfare and alignment with the organization's core values including responsibility, teamwork, elevating others, and impact.

Externship Details

• This is a remote position open to eligible candidates residing in the United States.
• The externship is structured as a graduate-level learning or work-study program.
• Duration is flexible and typically aligns with academic semesters.
• Part-time during the school year (up to approximately 20 hours per week) and full-time during summer.

Compensation

Pay is based on the intern’s primary location of residence and is not below applicable local minimum wage.

• Zone 1: $18.00/hour
• Zone 2: $19.00/hour
• Zone 3: $20.00/hour

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 9:00 AM on Monday, July 6th, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

Location

Remote within the United States, with supervision requirements tied to New York or New Jersey licensed attorneys.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the application process upon request.