2L Legal Intern

Environmental Defense Fund • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The 2L Legal Intern will join Environmental Defense Fund’s U.S. Legal & Regulatory team for a 10-week summer 2027 internship. The team works to secure clean-air and climate protections and advance equitable environmental solutions. Interns contribute to legal and policy projects involving federal and administrative litigation, national and state regulatory proceedings, and other policy venues. Work may include researching and writing legal and policy materials, contributing to litigation and regulatory advocacy, and supporting environmental justice initiatives. The position 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 internship is full-time at 35 hours per week. Total compensation is $10,000, paid at an hourly rate of $28.57 by EDF or through external funding from the student’s school.

Requirements

• Be a current 2L student at an ABA-approved law school.
• Have an interest in cutting-edge 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 be able 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, 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, such as 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, helping people from all backgrounds feel connected, included, and empowered.

What This Job Offers

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