2023 Economic Justice Summer Internship Program
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) seeks energetic, motivated law students with a record of commitment to social justice and excellent writing, legal research and communication skills, to intern with us in the summer of 2023.
NCLEJ advances the cause of economic justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities across the country, using ground-breaking impact litigation, policy advocacy, and support for grassroots organizing. NCLEJ works to build systems that provide economic security and full participation in society to all. Our current advocacy focuses on 1) preserving and maintaining access to government benefits; 2) advancing the rights of lower wage workers; 3) combatting abusive debt collection and wealth extraction; and 4) advocating for disability justice.
Internship Description:
Students will work with staff attorneys to support ongoing impact litigation and class actions, policy analysis, and advocacy. Students have had the opportunity to assist with fact development and research for new litigation; discovery matters in pending litigation; legal and policy research on a variety of issues relating to federal court litigation; and collaborations with grassroots and community-based organizations.
The internship was fully remote during the summers of 2020 and 2021 and hybrid in 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we do not yet know whether the summer of 2023 will be remote, hybrid or in-person. That decision will be made by NCLEJ management likely a couple of months before the 2023 summer program start date based on what is safe for NCLEJ staff, interns and the larger community. Though we hope to be in-person for 2023, we are open to fully remote internships on a case-by-case basis.
The internship program begins on Tuesday, May 30, and ends on Friday, August 4. Interns are expected to work 35 hours per week.
Intern Qualifications:
Students must have completed their first year of law school by summer 2023. Excellent writing and research skills are essential. Students must have experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to social justice. NCLEJ supports students to whom it has offered a position in seeking funding from their school or outside sources. If a student is unable to obtain other funding, NCLEJ will provide compensation in the amount of $6,000, including supplementing school or outside funding up to that amount.
NCLEJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and people from other historically disenfranchised communities to apply. NCLEJ does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital or parental status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
How to apply:
We have two application periods: for 2Ls, please submit your application by midnight PST on Friday, October 28. We will have a second application period open to both 1Ls and 2Ls that will be open from December 1 through January 8 (due by midnight PST).Please send a cover letter, resume, list of three references, and short writing sample (legal memorandum or brief) to student@nclej.org. Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to every email. We will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview.
NCLEJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying, please contact Leah Lotto at 212-633-6967 or lotto@nclej.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
