Fall 2026 Liberty and National Security Legal Internship

About the role#

The Liberty and National Security (LNS) Program at the Brennan Center for Justice works to preserve constitutional values and fundamental freedoms in the post-9/11 era. This internship provides law students with the opportunity to work alongside staff in the Washington D.C. office on policy advocacy, research, and litigation initiatives. Interns are integrated into the team and contribute to programmatic and strategic planning.

What you'll do#

• Conduct legal and policy analysis.
• Draft legislative documents at federal, state, and local levels.
• Participate in administrative and legislative advocacy, public education, and scholarship.
• Assist with litigation in trial and appellate courts.
• Conduct legal research and write for amicus briefs, policy reports, and advocacy documents.
• Draft communications to legislators and comments for federal agencies.
• Attend coalition meetings and contribute to strategic planning.
• Draft posts for the Brennan Center blog.

What you'll need#

• Current enrollment as a law student.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
• Initiative, imagination, and versatility.
• A passion for policy advocacy and legal issues.
• A commitment to considering a wide range of candidates with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Location & details#

• Location: Washington D.C.
• Term: Fall 2026 (September – December 2026).
• Modality: On-site.
• Commitment: Approximately 10 – 15 hours per week.
• Compensation: $20.90 per hour (subject to school internship program rules regarding compensation).