Counsel Summer Graduate Intern
About The Position
The Department of City Planning (DCP) welcomes applications to serve as a 2026 Summer Legal Intern. The Summer Legal Intern will support DCP’s Office of the Counsel in providing legal research and guidance to the City Planning Commission and DCP. Law students with interest in New York City, land use law, and planning are strongly encouraged to apply. DCP has an expansive work program focused on the creation and strengthening of great neighborhoods, affordable housing, vibrant commercial and institutional centers, while promoting strategic growth, transit-oriented development, sustainable communities and high-quality open space and waterfronts. Our aim is to enhance quality of life in the city, in part by initiating comprehensive, consensus-based planning and zoning changes for individual neighborhoods and business districts, as well as establishing policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide. The Counsel's Office advises the Department of City Planning (DCP), the City Planning Commission, other governmental agencies, and private entities on all issues related to zoning, land use review, planning, development, environmental review, and agency administration and procedures. DCP’s Counsel’s Office provides legal advice and services to the City Planning Commission and DCP staff on all relevant matters, including land use and zoning law, zoning text development and interpretation, the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), private and City-sponsored applications and projects, environmental review, litigation involving DCP, DCP compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and other laws, and personnel matters. The Summer Legal Intern will support DCP’s Office of the Counsel in providing legal research and guidance. Summer Legal Interns will have the opportunity to give guidance on potential and ongoing citywide zoning changes, as well as neighborhood studies and plans; attend briefings and hearings with Commissioners on the City Planning Commission; and advise on individual zoning applications pending before the Department of City Planning.
Requirements
- The prospective intern must be an enrolled and registered student at an accredited law school.
- Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in law school.
- All applicants must be available to work in-office for the full duration (10 weeks) of the program.
- Former interns and employees are not eligible to apply for this Summer Internship Program.
- Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in an accredited college, university or law school.
Responsibilities
- providing legal research and guidance to the City Planning Commission and DCP
- give guidance on potential and ongoing citywide zoning changes, as well as neighborhood studies and plans
- attend briefings and hearings with Commissioners on the City Planning Commission
- advise on individual zoning applications pending before the Department of City Planning
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
