Spring 2027 Legal Internship – Midwest Regional Office

Overview

This role is a part-time legal intern position with the Midwest Regional Office, beginning in spring 2027.

The internship is paid and allows for remote work within the U.S. or a hybrid schedule from the Chicago, IL office.

The Midwest Regional Office works on matters involving proposed mines and pipeline projects that threaten the fishing and hunting rights of tribal communities and endanger regional resources, including the Great Lakes and the Boundary Waters. The team also works in partnership with communities impacted by contaminated air, drinking water, waterways, and soil, with a focus on environmental justice and safer, cleaner neighborhoods. Additional work includes promoting healthier, more sustainable agriculture and addressing climate change.

As a legal intern, you will gain hands-on experience in public interest litigation while building knowledge in areas such as environmental justice, tribal treaty rights, clean water protection, climate and energy issues, and other environmental challenges affecting Midwest communities.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of an attorney, the legal intern will support active litigation and advocacy across the Midwest region by:

• Conducting legal research
• Drafting legal memoranda and briefs
• Helping develop case strategy
• Supporting work with tribal nations, community organizations, and partner groups

Requirements

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027
• 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
• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus
• Interest in public interest law and social justice
• Must commit to 16–20 hours/week for 10–12 weeks

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid hourly internship (hourly rate is considered taxable income)
• Spring 2027 hourly rate for law students: $36.86

Location

• Remote within the U.S. or hybrid schedule from the Chicago, IL office

Application Details

• Applications are due by 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.

Required materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter (one page) addressing:
  • Why you want to work with the Midwest Regional Office and any information about yourself not fully covered in your resume
  • The number of hours (or a reasonable estimate) you can work each week
  • Any applicable deadlines or requirements relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer
• Additional documents via application portal:
  • Recent writing sample (preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages). Include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others and whether artificial intelligence was used in drafting or editing.
  • Official or unofficial law school transcript

Finalists:

• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references (law professors or legal supervisors).

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and provides employment 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:

• For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
• 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.