About the role#
The State Supreme Court Initiative (SSCI) at the ACLU seeks a legal intern for the summer of 2027. This team works to strengthen the ACLU’s voice in state supreme courts by identifying cases of constitutional importance and filing briefs as amicus curiae or co-counsel. Interns support this mission by assisting with civil rights and civil liberties litigation across the country.
What you'll do#
- Draft memoranda, motions, and portions of briefs.
- Conduct legal and factual research regarding cases in state courts.
- Track cases and issues of interest to the SSCI team.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment at a U.S. law school with at least one year completed before the internship begins.
- Excellent research skills, including proficiency with Westlaw, PACER, and other legal databases.
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and work with attention to detail.
- Commitment to the mission of the ACLU.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid position at $24 per hour.
- The role is based in New York, NY or Washington, D.C., with remote or hybrid work options available.
- The internship requires a 35-hour work week for 10 consecutive weeks, beginning on May 24 or June 7, 2027.
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.
