About the role#
The Criminal Law Reform Project at the ACLU works to protect the constitutional rights of people impacted by the criminal legal system. We use litigation and advocacy to challenge systemic government conduct, police abuse, and policies that fuel the carceral state. Our current priorities include combatting police violence, protecting the right to pretrial liberty, and strengthening public defense systems. This is a part-time, unpaid internship for law students seeking course credit.
What you'll do#
Interns support our litigation and advocacy efforts. You will work alongside our team on tasks including:
- Conducting legal research and fact investigation.
- Drafting legal memos and portions of court submissions.
- Assisting with preparations for depositions, oral arguments, hearings, and trials.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment at a U.S. law school, with at least one year of law school completed before the start date.
- Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities with high attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to take initiative and see projects through to completion.
- A commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and racial justice.
Location & details#
- Location: New York, NY (Hybrid).
- Term: Winter 2027.
- Duration: 12 consecutive weeks starting January 11 or January 25.
- Time commitment: Part-time (10, 15, or 20 hours per week).
- Compensation: This position is unpaid and must be completed for academic credit.
About ACLU
The ACLU is a non-profit organization focused on the defense of civil rights and liberties. Founded in 1920, the group operates out of New York and Washington. It works on issues including voting rights, criminal justice reform, and freedom of speech. The organization employs over 1,200 people.
How to get in at ACLU
Securing an internship at the ACLU requires timing and persistence. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first, as early applicants get seen before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting applications into a void. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves response rates. Connecting with a human recruiter often provides more clarity than a standard application portal.
