Spring 2027 Legal Internship (Climate - Geneva)

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of human rights and the environment. CIEL is comprised of attorneys, campaigners, researchers, and communicators who have extensive experience in leading international strategies to advance everyone’s right to a healthy environment. Many of our program areas explore innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, including in their direct link with other international legal fields, such as international investment law or international trade law.

Our legal internship program offers a unique opportunity for law students to develop skills in the field of international environmental law, and using legal strategies to protect human rights and the environment. Learning from and supervised by a diverse staff of experts and attorneys, internships offer insight into innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, by honing thoughtful and creative research and analysis. Offering this internship is central to CIEL’s mission of developing the next generation of environmental leaders and lawyers through real-world training and practice. 

Responsibilities of a legal intern may include researching and writing about areas of domestic and international law, including environmental and human rights law, international investment law, and international trade law and policy; assisting with policy analysis and advocacy; attending meetings and conferences; assisting with the production of CIEL publications, legal opinions and legal briefs; support in the preparation of amicus curiae before international tribunals and otherwise working closely with CIEL staff on various projects. Successful applicants generally possess excellent research and writing skills and a strong dedication to public interest law.

Notes:

• Internships for the fall session may start as early as January 2027.
  
• These internships will be under the supervision of CIEL's Climate & Energy Program. 

Stipend:
A monthly stipend is available for any intern eligible to receive it under the rules applied by their jurisdiction and educational institution. The basic gross stipend is 2,660 CHF/month for full-time interns based in Geneva. For less than full-time internships, the stipend is prorated according to the intern’s approximate level of time commitment to CIEL. Stipends are intended to make the CIEL internship more readily available to aspiring professionals, and are not intended to create a legal or employment relationship between the intern and CIEL, or otherwise modify the legal nature of the internship program.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program leading to a degree with an accredited university for the duration of the internship.  
• Applicants are expected to be working towards a legal degree (e.g., LLM, JD) .  Other graduate degrees in related fields (e.g., PhD, MA) will be considered if the applicant has already completed one legal degree.
• This internship must be part of the study program for the degree, as confirmed by the participating university.
• The internship must be validated by the awarding of study credits (ECTS or equivalent).
  
• Applicants are required to be available between a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks, for at least 24 hours/week.  Legal interns who do not have citizenship in Switzerland or an EU member nation and who are not already in Switzerland may only intern full time.
  
• Applicants should possess some experience with international environmental or human rights law, either through graduate-level courses or comparable work experience.

To Apply:

• To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample in English.
  

Application Deadline:

• 16 October 2026 (11:59pm CET)
  

FAQ:

• I recently completed my legal degree and I am currently pursuing post-graduate coursework or training, am I eligible to apply?   Post-graduate coursework such as that required to sit for the Bar or complete practical training do not meet the requirements for this legal internship.
• May I apply as an LLB student?  If you are an LLB student interested in applying for this legal internship, you must demonstrate familiarity with international human rights law or international environmental law, either through coursework or prior work experience.
• If I have already completed an LLM, JD, or similar legal degree, must my current program also be legal in nature?  In this case your current program can be non-legal in nature, although the expectation is that the subject would be relevant to CIEL's work.
  
• May I undertake my internship remotely?  Internships with CIEL’s Geneva office are required to take place in person. 
  
• What should I submit as an English writing sample?  Feel free to submit something that you feel demonstrates your writing ability.  This can include undergraduate work. 
  
• Will CIEL sponsor a visa for me?  CIEL may be able to sponsor a student visa for you depending on your nationality/citizenship.
• May I apply to both of CIEL's legal intern programs? You may apply to both our Swiss and US programs. Applying for legal internships in the United States is a separate process, see that application page.

If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact internshipSwitzerland@ciel.org.