INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Legal Extern

CompanyAlliance Defending Freedom - Private
LocationLansdowne
Work ModeOn Site
PostedFebruary 27, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The Legal Extern will perform legal research, draft legal documents, and consult with legal staff about strategy. They will also attend and observe attorney strategy meetings and legal hearings.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
366
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. ADF was launched in 1994 by a large group of Christian ministry leaders with one mission in mind: to keep the doors open for the Gospel by advocating for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and marriage and family. For information on careers and current open positions at ADF, please visit ADFlegal.org/careers.
About the Role

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Locations: Lansdowne, VA 

Team Overview

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a Legal Extern to join us in our Lansdowne, VA office or Home Office.  As a Legal Extern, you are an integral part of the Legal Advocacy Team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to gain some experiences similar to a first-year associate attorney (e.g., researching and preparing legal memoranda, drafting legal documents, observing attorney strategy meetings, observing moots and legal hearings) under a close supervision of a licensed attorney.

Key Responsbilities

  • Perform legal research regarding various legal topics.  This includes computer-based research of cases, statutes, codes, regulations, and other related materials.  Some research may require visiting various law libraries to research specialized materials.  
  • Draft memorandums of law and other legal documents.  This will require the capacity to analyze the law, apply the law to specific factual situations and independently write legal arguments applying the law and analysis.
  • Consult with legal staff about strategy and assist with developing or conveying legal advice.
  • Attend and observe attorney strategy meetings, moots, and legal hearings.
  • Perform work under the supervision of a licensed attorney but must be able to perform research in an investigative manner that does not require step-by-step instruction.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Completion of at least one year of law school with specialized training in legal research
  • Proficiency in organizational, analytical, attention to detail, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to professionally handle confidential information

Preferred Qualifications

  • In order to qualify as an extern, participation in an academic program that allows students to obtain credit for the externship or as a part of an established internship program is preferred

Want to Know More About ADF?

Key Skills
Legal ResearchDrafting Legal DocumentsAnalytical SkillsAttention to DetailVerbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationInterpersonal CommunicationConfidentiality
Categories
Legal