Summer 2027 Legal Intern, Human Rights Program

About the Role
The ACLU seeks a Summer Legal Intern in the Human Rights Program of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New York, NY.
Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.
The Team:
The Human Rights Program is part of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values, including the values of government transparency and accountability, and to reinforce the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The Center for Democracy includes – in addition to the Human Rights Program – the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project and the National Security Project, and also works closely with staff from the ACLU’s Communications Department, Affiliate Support and Advocacy Department, and Washington Legislative Office.
The Human Rights Program (HRP) is dedicated to holding the U.S. government accountable to its international human rights obligations and commitments. The Program uses human rights strategies to complement existing ACLU legal and legislative advocacy primarily in the areas of immigrants’ rights, prisoners’ rights, criminal law reform, free speech and racial justice. HRP conducts human rights documentation and related advocacy to combat human rights violations in the U.S., and it engages in advocacy and litigation before U.S. courts and international bodies, including the United Nations and regional human rights bodies (such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights).
What You’ll Do:
Our legal internship is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to conduct human rights and legal research and to work on all aspects of domestic and international advocacy HRP is working on. Interns will learn about creating change through an array of domestic and international advocacy opportunities, will work under the direct supervision of the Program’s Director, and will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with other Program staff.
Your Day to Day:
Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working alongside the Human Rights Program team on the following:
Conducting legal and policy research
Drafting memoranda, affidavits and briefs
Researching prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims
Researching and drafting materials for public education and human rights documentation
Researching and drafting materials for advocacy before regional and international bodies
What You'll Bring:
This internship is open to law students from the United States who will have completed their 1L year before the internship commences. Interns should possess the following:
Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ACLU, including civil liberties, civil rights, social justice, and international human rights
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
A demonstrated / strong interest in protecting and expanding civil and human rights
Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently, as well as in a team
Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
The initiative to see projects through to completion
Knowledge and experience using the human rights framework and the international human rights system are a plus
Knowledge and experience working on immigration and criminal legal system issues, especially extreme punishment, sentencing and juvenile justice are a plus
Future ACLU'ers Will:
Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
Internship Logistics
Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is hybrid and based in our New York, NY office.
Time Commitment: Summer internships require a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week for 10 weeks.
Internship Duration: Internships begin on May 24 or