Spring 2027 Legal Internship – Washington, DC Regional Office

Overview

This role is a paid, part-time Legal Intern position with the organization’s Washington, DC Regional Office for Spring 2027. The internship is 20 hours/week for 11 weeks. The intern may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from the Washington, DC office.

The Washington, DC Regional Office supports issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states and also serves as a center for litigation on national environmental matters. Current work includes litigation and advocacy to:

• Protect public health and the environment from air pollution
• Secure effective regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Protect streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction
• Advance energy efficiency
• Promote a transition to zero-emission transportation systems to protect local communities’ health and well-being and combat climate change

Interns will work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

Responsibilities

• Assist with case development and litigation-related projects
• Draft pleadings and briefs
• Conduct legal and factual research and draft memoranda
• Analyze caselaw, regulatory, and policy questions
• Help develop strategy and legal theories
• Gather evidence
• Attend client meetings and court proceedings

Qualifications

• 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
• Ability to commit to 20 hours/week for 11 weeks

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid hourly position (hourly rate is considered taxable income)
• Spring ’27 hourly rate for law students: $36.86/hour

Location

• Washington, DC Regional Office (hybrid schedule) and/or remote within the U.S.

Equal Opportunity / Fair Chance Hiring

• Equal opportunity employer committed to employment practices that ensure equal opportunities without regard to protected characteristics.
• For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered pursuant to 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.

How to Apply

Application materials are due Friday, September 18 at 5:00pm PT. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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

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

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21, with offers extended no later than November 13.