Summer 2027 Civil Rights Legal Internship
About The Position
ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization dedicated to combating the criminalization of poverty and state violence, particularly in communities of color. ACD's work encompasses civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration to achieve justice and equitable outcomes. The organization envisions a society free from oppressive systems, where public safety prioritizes well-being and transformation over criminalization and incarceration. ACD's Civil Rights Litigation team focuses on impact litigation in areas such as debtors' prisons, police misconduct, cash bail, and jail conditions, primarily through federal Section 1983 litigation. The Direct Representation teams handle individual cases in housing, consumer, criminal, and municipal law, with one team focusing on housing & civil advocacy and another on criminal & municipal defense. Both direct representation teams' work informs the Civil Rights team's efforts. Legal interns will have similar experiences regardless of their chosen team, but those seeking direct client contact may prefer direct representation, while those seeking federal court or extensive motion drafting experience may prefer the Civil Rights team.
Requirements
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
- High capacity for problem solving and self-direction
- Ability to work independently within time constraints
- Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations
- Awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
- Ability to work for ACD from June 1-July 30.
- Not simultaneously engage in more than one internship while working with ACD.
Nice To Haves
- Intern seeking more individual client contact will likely prefer to work with one of the direct representation teams.
- Intern seeking federal court experience or lengthier motion drafting experience would likely prefer to work with the Civil Rights team.
Responsibilities
- Perform fact and legal research to support claims and issues.
- Draft memos synthesizing research findings, as well as motions, pleadings, and other legal documents.
- Assist with discovery and investigation.
- Interview and communicate with clients or class members.
- Attend court hearings and proceedings with staff attorneys.
- Coordinate with attorneys and staff to support ArchCity Defenders’ mission.
- Engage in discovery, document review, investigation, and administrative work (for undergraduate interns).
- Observe court proceedings with staff attorneys (for undergraduate interns).
Benefits
- Stipend of up to $4200 if unable to obtain funding from school or other programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
