About the role#
The Legal Advocacy Department at the ACLU of Northern California invites law and policy graduate students to join the Criminal Law & Immigration Project. This internship provides an opportunity to support policy change and impact litigation. You will work on core issues including prosecutorial accountability, police accountability, decarceration, and immigrants’ rights. This is a full-time, paid position for the summer of 2027.
What you'll do#
- Conduct legal and policy research and analysis.
- Draft advocacy materials, sections of court documents, and pre-litigation demand letters.
- Assist with local or legislative campaigns.
- Attend hearings, meetings with policy-makers, appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions.
- Participate in departmental strategy meetings.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in law school or a graduate program in public policy, criminal justice, or a related field.
- A demonstrated commitment to social justice and the ideals of the ACLU.
- A passion for criminal justice.
- Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills.
- An enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented approach to your work.
Location & details#
- This internship is based in San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno.
- The role is on-site or hybrid.
- The term lasts 10 to 12 weeks, typically starting after Memorial Day.
- Applications from 1L students will be reviewed beginning in November 2026.
About ACLU of Northern California
The ACLU of Northern California is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. Founded in 1934, it focuses on civil liberties, litigation, and policy advocacy. The organization employs 113 people and maintains offices in San Francisco and Fresno. It works with a network of 100,000 members and activists across the state.
How to get in at ACLU of Northern California
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