page_title
Summer 2027 Legal Intern, SCOTUS Docket
Hybrid-New York, United States
About the role
<h2><strong>About the Role</strong></h2>
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">The ACLU seeks a full-time <strong>Summer Legal Intern </strong></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">in the </span></span><strong><span class="TextRun SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">SCOTUS Docket</span></span></strong><span class="TextRun SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8"><strong> </strong>of the ACLU's National Office. This position may be </span></span><strong><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">remote or hybrid</span></span></strong> <span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">and can be based in our National Office in <strong>San Francisco, CA or New York, NY.</strong></span></span></p>
<p><strong>Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.</strong></p>
<h2><strong>The Team:</strong></h2>
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW134497702 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW134497702 BCX8">Our team supports the ACLU’s National Legal Director. In addition to overseeing the ACLU’s litigation department, the National Legal Director supervises all of the ACLU’s work before the United States Supreme Court, including merits cases, petitions for certiorari, and amicus work.</span></span><span class="EOP Selected SCXW134497702 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<h2><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong></h2>
<p><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">We are looking for a</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8"> legal</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8"> intern to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">support</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">all facets of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">the ACLU’s </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">work </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">across </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">at the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">Supreme Court</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">.</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">The intern’s case load will likely </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">span a range of issue areas, including voting rights, LGBTQ rights, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">immigration, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">presidential power, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">and free speech. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">Specific tasks will include legal research, argument development, brief drafting, and assistance with long-term planning and strategy projects.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8"> Additionally, the intern will gain exposure to the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">ACLU’s </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">advocacy strategy development and coalition management efforts</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8"> </span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177999607 BCX8">for cases pending before or possibly headed toward the U.S. Supreme Court. You’ll report to the staff attorney who works across the ACLU’s Supreme Court docket.</span></p>
<h2><strong>Your Day to Day:</strong></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working alongside the team. </span><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following: </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Conduct legal research and analysis to support new and active litigation projects </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Aid in drafting of legal memoranda, motions, and briefs </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>What You'll Bring:</strong></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This Internship is open to students who are in law school. Interns should possess the following: </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Completion of 1L year of law school prior to the commencement of the internship; preference for candidates who will have already completed their 2L year</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent research skills, including conducting internet and legal database research </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Attention to detail, excellent organization and time-management skills </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">The initiative to see projects through to completion </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, and racial justice </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Kindness, generosity, and humility</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Preferred Qualifications </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience drafting briefs before the United States Supreme Court</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with or previous experience working on one or more of the following topics: Section 1983 litigation; immigration law; LGBTQ rights; free speech; administrative law; national security law; structural constitutional law.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h2><strong>Future ACLU'ers Will:</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU</li>
<li>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</li>
<li>Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Internship Logistics</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Location</strong>: <span class="TextRun SCXW62354824 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW62354824 BCX8">Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship m<span class="TextRun SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">ay be </span></span><strong><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">remote and/or hybrid</span></span></strong> <span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW185401303 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW185401303 BCX8">and can be based in our National Office in <strong>San Francisco, CA or New York, NY.</strong></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><strong>Time Commitment</strong>: Summer internships require a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks.</li>
<li><strong>Internship Duration</strong>: <span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW130351013" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest BCX8 SCXW130351013">Internships begin on <strong>May 24 </strong></span></span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW130351013" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest BCX8 SCXW130351013">or <strong>June 7.</strong></span></span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun SCXW231099236 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW231099236 BCX8"><strong>Stipend:</strong> <span class="TextRun SCXW118653482 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW118653482 BCX8">A stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work. Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for the summer. Legal interns receive a stipend amount of $24/hour (stipends are taxed)</span></span><span class="EOP CommentHighlightHovered SCXW118653482 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Priority Application Deadline: December 6, 2026</span></strong></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">While there is a priority deadline,</span><span data-contrast="auto"> our project is committed to reviewing all applications on a rolling basis until the closing of posting.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h2><strong>Why the ACLU</strong></h2>
<p>For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people. </p>
<h2><strong>Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion</strong></h2>
<p>Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. </p>
<p>With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. </p>
<p><em>The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please complete the </em><a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=6XZWc5QkD0q_MUveoekZhpx9FkPMtDFAmz3e2gWC_wNUOTVFRTRINjdRT0FLSTVPUUU3N0NXQ0dDTS4u&route=shorturl">Accommodation Request Form</a></p>
<p><em>If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. </em><em>The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.</em></strong></p>