Summer 2027 Law Student Summer Internship

Description

Position: Summer 2027 Law Student Summer Internship (plus one hybrid Legal and Policy position)

Department: Legal

Terms of Employment: Internship

Location: New York Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street & 55 Broadway, NY, NY (NYCLU Staff is currently working on a hybrid model).

Salary: The NYCLU will provide a stipend for summer interns who do not receive funding from their law school or any other external funding.

Application Deadline: Applications for second-year law students are strongly preferred by Monday, October 19, 2026. We will consider applications on a rolling basis through November 1, 2026.  Applications for first-year law students are due by Tuesday, January 5, 2027, and will be reviewed after that date.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties.  Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and seven offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org. 

DEI VISION STATEMENT

The NYCLU is committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace that centers the voices of marginalized and directly impacted communities. This commitment strengthens our mission to protect civil liberties and advance justice across New York. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and others whose experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 

The NYCLU seeks a diverse group of current law students for Summer 2027 internships. During our 10-week program (June 1, 2027 to August 6, 2027), interns in our Legal Department will engage in legal research and writing to support litigation and advocacy on a wide range of civil rights and civil liberties issues. Interns may also have opportunities to participate in other projects such as court monitoring, policy campaigns, and public education about civil rights and liberties. 

There will be a hybrid opportunity for one intern to work formally within both the NYCLU’s Legal and Policy Departments. While the Legal Department primarily works on litigation, the Policy Department designs, advocates for, implements and monitors legislative and policy initiatives across the state, including with state and municipal legislatures and agencies and alongside the NYCLU’s various coalition partnerships. 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should have a commitment to public interest law and to civil liberties. Please send a cover letter describing why you are interested in a summer internship at the NYCLU, a resume, and a recent writing sample that is wholly your own unedited work (submit a brief, motion or memorandum of law, not to exceed 10 pages). Applicants should also note whether you are interested in an internship exclusively with the Legal Department or if you are applying for a hybrid Legal and Policy Department internship, or would like to be considered for both roles. Please upload your writing sample with your cover letter as one document via https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4542315/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Summer-2027-Law-Student-Summer-Internship  

The NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve.

The NYCLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail ldecicco@nyclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.