2026 Summer Legal Internship

FIRE • Philadelphia, PA

111d

About The Position

FIRE’s Summer Legal Internship provides law students with an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the nation’s leading defender of free expression. This 10-week, paid program offers an $8,000 stipend and runs from June through August. Legal interns work from FIRE’s Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. offices, contributing directly to advocacy and policy projects that shape the national conversation on free speech.

Requirements

• Rising 2Ls and 3Ls.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Demonstrated interest in civil liberties and public-interest law.
• Detail-oriented.
• Collaborative.
• Passionate about advancing FIRE’s mission to defend freedom of speech, expression, and thought.

Responsibilities

• Investigate free speech violations on college campuses.
• Help draft public-facing commentary.
• Conduct legal research.
• Participate in voluntary learning sessions on substantive First Amendment law.
• Research and respond to threats to free expression beyond the campus.
• Draft advocacy materials.
• Assist in shaping FIRE’s public commentary.
• Draft and edit policy analyses for college administrators.
• Research emerging issues in higher education policy.
• Help advance reforms to improve protections for student and faculty expression.
• Conduct legal research on public policy affecting expressive rights.
• Draft internal bill analyses and public commentary.
• Monitor legislative developments.
• Assist in drafting memos and correspondence.
• Conduct research projects to identify new advocacy targets.
• Contribute to FIRE’s Newsdesk.
• Participate in seminars with FIRE leadership and civil liberties experts.

Benefits

• $8,000 stipend for the 10-week internship.
• Opportunity to work in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.
• Gain insight into free expression issues and public-interest advocacy.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees