Legal Intern

Legal Interns

We offer legal internships year-round. We primarily hire 2L and 3L interns due to the nature of our practice, which requires advanced legal research and writing skills, but welcome 1L applications and occasionally offer positions to standout 1L candidates. We give legal interns significant responsibilities on substantive legal projects in the areas of voting, education, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Interns typically complete assignments in several of these practice areas and can pursue work related to areas of particular interest. Assignments include legal research and writing; drafting briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests; reviewing and analyzing discovery responses and documents; interviewing clients and witnesses; and preparing policy memoranda and proposed legislation. Interns interested in community lawyering also have the opportunity to work alongside community lawyers and organizers to support outreach and relationship building efforts, community meetings and clinics, and collective direct actions. Interns also gain practical experience through shadowing attorneys at meetings and court appearances.

We seek applicants with the following qualifications:

• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Demonstrated excellence in legal writing;
• Initiative and creativity;
• Collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues and clients;
• Enthusiasm about our mission.

The Public Interest Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. The Law Center is committed to protecting the safety of children with whom it comes in contact.

Application Deadlines

For Spring 2027 interns, the priority deadline will be October 31, 2026. For Fall 2027 interns, the priority deadline will be June 15, 2027. Please note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis; however, applications submitted before these deadlines will receive priority review.

How to Apply

This is a competitive process and we will select candidates on a rolling basis as we receive applications. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, and writing sample. To be considered for the Clarke Scholars Fund, please also submit a one-page personal statement as outlined below. Your cover letter should be 1-2 pages long and should include a statement of your reasons for seeking an internship at the Public Interest Law Center. If possible, please format your materials as a single PDF file. Please send these materials by email to internships@pubintlaw.org. Due to the volume of applications received, we will only be contacting candidates selected for an interview.