2L Legal Intern

Environmental Defense Fund•Washington DC, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) U.S. Legal & Regulatory team seeks a current 2L law student for a 10-week summer 2027 internship. The team works to advance clean-air and climate protections and equitable environmental solutions. The internship is hybrid from an EDF office in Boulder, Colorado, or Washington, D.C., with the option to work remotely from within the United States. The schedule is full-time at 35 hours per week. Legal interns contribute to the team’s litigation and regulatory advocacy, with work that may include legal and factual research, drafting legal and policy documents, supporting litigation and administrative proceedings, and participating in policy work. The internship is intended to provide relevant, challenging, and rewarding experience on environmental law and policy matters.

Requirements

Be a current 2L student at an ABA-approved law school.
Demonstrate interest in working on regional, national, and international climate and air-quality issues.
Demonstrate interest or experience related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it intersects with environmental law.
Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
Be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
Be able to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
Be able to work in a team setting and independently when projects are due.
Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, and the ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and backgrounds.
Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial law school transcript with the application; the cover letter should describe interest in environmental law, policy, and justice, as well as 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, including fact sheets and blog posts, about legal issues.
Represent EDF at public hearings before government agencies.
Provide other support for 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, supporting an inclusive environment aligned with EDF values.