Spring 2027 Legal Externship – Washington, DC Regional Office

Overview

The organization is accepting applications for one part-time legal extern for spring 2027 in its Washington, DC Regional Office.

This externship is for law students who are eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through the externship. The role may be performed remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from the Washington, DC office.

The Washington, DC Regional Office serves as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The office’s docket currently includes litigation and advocacy involving:

• Protection of public health and the environment from air pollution
• Regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Transition to zero-emission buildings, transportation, energy, and industry
• Protection of streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction
• Advancement of energy efficiency
• Protection of local communities’ health and well-being and combatting climate change

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the legal extern will support case development and litigation-related projects, which may include:

• Drafting pleadings and briefs
• Conducting legal and factual research and drafting memoranda
• Analyzing case law, regulatory, and policy questions
• Assisting in developing strategy and legal theories
• Gathering evidence
• Attending client meetings and court proceedings

Requirements

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027.
• Must be eligible to receive academic credit or fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Must commit to 20 hours/week for 11 weeks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
• Interest in public interest law and social justice.

Compensation & Benefits

• Legal externs are unpaid.
• Academic credit or fulfillment of a graduation requirement is required for the externship.

Location

• Washington, DC Regional Office
• Work may be remote within the U.S. or hybrid from the Washington, DC office.

Application & Selection Timeline

• Application materials are due Friday, September 18 at 5:00pm PT.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21.
• Offers will be extended no later than November 13.

Submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter (one page) addressing:
  • Why you want to work with the Washington, DC Regional Office and any information not apparent or fully explained in your resume
  • Number of hours (or a reasonable estimate) you can work each week and whether you can work on Eastern Time
  • Confirmation that you can earn academic credit from your law school or that you will fulfill a graduation requirement through this externship
  • Any applicable deadlines or requirements relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer
• Additional documents (upload files as requested during application submission):
  • Recent writing sample (preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages) that primarily reflects your work, including:
    • A cover page indicating the extent to which the writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others
    • Whether artificial intelligence was used in the drafting or editing of the writing sample
  • List of courses taken in law school
• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references (law professors or legal supervisors).

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to employment practices that provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor not related to the position.

Fair Chance Considerations (If Applicable)

• For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered.
• For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.