About the role#
The Brennan Center for Justice is hiring law students for the Democracy Legal Internship. This role supports the Democracy Program in its efforts to improve representative self-government and remove barriers to political participation. You will work directly with staff on policy advocacy, research, and litigation initiatives. This is a part-time, on-site position based in our New York office during the Spring 2027 semester.
What you'll do#
Interns contribute to all aspects of our programmatic and strategic work. Your responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal, policy, and factual research.
- Supporting administrative and legislative advocacy at federal, state, and local levels.
- Assisting with public education and scholarship.
- Supporting litigation in trial and appellate courts.
- Drafting amicus briefs, policy reports, and communications to legislators.
- Writing comments for federal agencies.
- Attending coalition meetings.
- Drafting posts for the Brennan Center blog or the State Court Report website.
What you'll need#
- You must be a second or third-year law student.
- Excellent skills in legal research, analysis, and writing.
- Initiative, imagination, and versatility in your approach to work.
- A passion for democracy and justice issues.
Location & details#
- Location: New York, New York.
- Term: Spring 2027 semester.
- Hours: Approximately 10 to 15 hours per week.
- Pay: $20.90 per hour, subject to school internship policies.
- Modality: This is an on-site internship.
About Brennan Center for Justice
The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute based in New York City. Founded in 1995, the organization conducts research and advocacy regarding democracy and justice systems. It operates as a think tank and communications hub focused on issues like voting rights, campaign finance reform, and ending mass incarceration. The center maintains offices in New York and Washington, DC.
How to get in at Brennan Center for Justice
Securing an internship at the Brennan Center for Justice requires speed because early applicants are often reviewed before the volume of candidates becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and stay ahead of the pile. You gain a clear advantage by being one of the first to submit your materials when a new opening appears. Reaching out to the right people often yields better results than submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. This direct approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard application methods.
