Office of the General Counsel Copyright [For-Credit] Externship - Summer 2027

Overview

This is a for-credit or stipend-eligible temporary legal externship with the Office of the General Counsel (Copyright). The extern will support legal work related to copyright, fair use, and audio licensing.

Externship Details

• Summer 2027 submission deadline: Sunday, October 18th at 11:59pm ET
• Program dates: May 10, 2027 – August 13, 2027 (dates may be flexible depending on school requirements)
• Program duration/work schedule: 12 weeks; full-time 40 hours per week during the summer
• Fall/Spring externships: Can be part-time (usually 15–20 hours per week) or full-time, and must be for course credit
• Course credit: Course credit may be obtained by arrangement with individual law schools

Responsibilities

Externs are vital contributors to the work of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), which provides legal and related services to support the organization’s mission.

The extern will gain practical experience by assisting senior counsel with tasks including:

• Evaluating copyright issues in audio content (and occasional video content)
• Researching copyright issues
• Making fair use determinations
• Drafting and/or organizing permissions agreements and assessing legal aspects of proposed licensing agreements
• Assisting with Rights Management issues

Additional duties may be assigned, and responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fair use law experience and/or familiarity
• Intellectual property experience and/or familiarity
• Prior experience with licensing issues (preferred but not required)

Education Requirements

• Must be a current student in an accredited law degree program
• Must have taken a course in copyright law (or equivalent) and be well-versed in the principles of fair use

Work Location & Requirements

• Remote-permitted: This role is based out of the organization’s Washington, D.C. office, but you may work remotely from a location approved by the organization.
• Options include:
  • Working remotely within the United States from a supported location
  • Working on-site at an organization facility (desk availability and approval apply)
  • A combination of remote and on-site work
• Travel to other locations may be expected from time to time to perform duties.

Job Type

• For-credit or stipend-eligible temporary externship

Compensation & Benefits

• Course Credit: Learning experience for law students; school credit must be obtained. Applicants must be able to comply with their school’s requirements for academic credit.

• School-sponsored Stipends: During the summer, the externship may alternately be compensated through a program in which the student receives a stipend from their school for non-profit work.

• Pay Range (minimum to maximum expected for new hires across all US locations): $0.01—$0.01 USD

How to Apply

Applicants are asked to submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• In the cover letter, thoroughly explain interest in and experience with copyright law
• Cover letter must include when and where the copyright law course was taken (course must be completed before the externship begins)

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace.

Assistance for Applicants with Disabilities

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, assistance is available through the employer’s employment relations contact.