1L Legal Intern

Environmental Defense Fund • Washington DC, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The 1L Legal Intern will support the U.S. Legal & Regulatory team’s work to secure clean air and climate protections. The internship is designed to provide relevant, challenging, and rewarding experience, including meaningful projects and networking opportunities. The team’s work includes litigation, regulatory advocacy, and policy efforts addressing climate, air quality, public health, and environmental justice.

Interns may research and write legal and policy memoranda and other documents for federal and administrative litigation, national and state regulatory proceedings—including proceedings before state public utility commissions—and policy venues. They may also contribute to litigation filings and administrative comments, assess the effects of court decisions on EDF priorities, evaluate pending legislation, draft public-facing materials, represent EDF at government hearings, and support environmental justice initiatives.

The position is for a 10-week term in Summer 2027, at 35 hours per week. It is hybrid from an EDF office in Boulder, Colorado, or Washington, D.C., with the option to work remotely within the United States. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial law school transcript. The cover letter should describe their interest in environmental law, policy, and justice, as well as relevant completed coursework. Priority review begins December 18, and candidates are encouraged to apply by that date; applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Total compensation is $10,000, paid at an hourly rate of $28.57, either by EDF or through external funding from the intern’s school.

Requirements

• Current 1L student at an ABA-approved law school.
• Interest in working on regional, national, and international climate and air quality issues.
• Demonstrated interest or experience related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it intersects with environmental law.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and backgrounds.
• Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial law school transcript; the cover letter should describe interest in environmental law, policy, and justice and relevant completed coursework.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and factual research on climate and clean air issues.
• Contribute to litigation filings and administrative comments advocating for public health and environmental protections.
• Assess the impacts of recent court decisions on EDF priorities.
• Evaluate the health and environmental implications of pending legislation.
• Draft public-facing documents, such as fact sheets and blog posts, about legal issues.
• Represent EDF at public hearings before government agencies.
• Provide other support to the team’s litigation efforts and regulatory advocacy.
• Support environmental justice initiatives, particularly those addressing the disparate impacts of climate change.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, helping people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed