Legal Intern
About the Internship
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund offer a substantive, fast-paced internship program designed to give law students real-world work experience in the civil and human rights policy arena. The program provides interns the chance to increase their knowledge and awareness of civil and human rights issues, enhance their understanding of coalition politics, and observe the legislative and rulemaking processes of our federal government. Our internship program is designed to foster the next generation of civil rights leaders through civil rights-related education, career development, and networking. Our legal interns are fully integrated into staff activities and are provided the opportunity to engage in a number of pressing and topical issues, such as voting rights, fair courts, justice reform, and more.
Fall and winter semester interns will be paid an hourly rate of $24 per hour for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Summer interns will be paid an hourly rate of $24 per hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week.
What You Will Do
- Track legislation on a variety of core civil rights issues
- Conduct legal and legislative research
- Draft testimony, advocacy letters, and other documents
- Attend coalition and task force meetings
- Attend congressional hearings and briefings
- Provide administrative support as needed
- Plan and carry out an all-staff event with fellow interns
What You Will Bring to the Internship
- Strong writing skills
- Desire and ability to work with diverse groups of people
- The ability to work collaboratively
- The ability to multitask
- A strong commitment to social justice issues
Internship Schedule
Internships are for a length of one school semester. For the fall, we require a 20-hour minimum weekly commitment. The summer program is full-time (40 hours per week). We also strongly prefer that interns be able to work on Monday afternoons.
Who We Are
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 200 organizations that promotes and protects civil and human rights in America. The Leadership Conference has coordinated national lobbying efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957. To learn more about The Leadership Conference, please visit www.civilrights.org.
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect civil and human rights in the United States. Founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference, The Education Fund’s campaigns empower advocates to push for progressive change in the United States. To learn more about The Education Fund, please visit www.civilrights.org/edfund.
Internship FAQs:
Q: Do you accept high school students?
A: Unfortunately we do not accept high school students.
Q: Which students are eligible for the internship?
A: Applicants for the undergraduate internship must have completed at least three semesters of coursework and be currently enrolled in an accredited college. To be eligible for the legal internship, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school.
Q: Is the internship virtual?
A: Yes, our internships will remain entirely virtual for the foreseeable future. We take great care in ensuring our interns are connected to the organization, to staff, and to each other, so that interns can have a rewarding and productive “DC experience.” There may be optional in-person events in Washington, DC that interns may be invited to attend.
Q: Can I receive school credit for the internship?
A: Yes, many of our interns receive school credit for this internship. We are happy to work with you to accommodate this if you are selected.
Q: What do I need to do to apply? When can I expect to hear back?
A: Please submit your resume, cover letter, a writing sample, and two references in our career center portal. Unfortunately due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to everyone individually. If you are selected for an interview, you will hear from us within a month after the application deadline.
Q: What if I am not selected? Can I reapply?
A: Yes, absolutely! We strongly encourage you to reapply for a future semester.
To apply, please visit our Career Center and submit your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and two references.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace
The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.