About the role#
The Racial Justice Program (RJP) is part of the ACLU’s Trone Center for Justice and Equality. The program challenges racial discrimination and policies that negatively impact communities of color, including Indigenous communities and people in U.S. territories. The RJP focuses on areas such as health equity, education, housing, reentry, and economic justice. Interns support this work through litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education.
What you'll do#
- Conduct legal and factual research to support ongoing litigation, investigations, and advocacy.
- Review and code discovery productions.
- Produce and edit memos, research reports, and drafts of briefing.
- Participate in team meetings.
- Attend meetings with clients when available.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in law school, having completed your first year before the internship starts.
- Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Initiative to see projects through to completion.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, and racial justice.
- Ability to center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in your work.
- Commitment to advancing the mission of the ACLU.
- Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others.
Location & details#
- This internship is based in New York, New York, with remote or hybrid options available.
- The position is full-time at 35 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks.
- Start dates are May 24 or June 7, 2027.
- This is a paid position with a stipend of $24 per hour.
- Applicants must be based in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.
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.
