Summer 2027 Legal Intern, Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative
About The Position
The ACLU seeks a Summer Legal Intern in the Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative of the ACLU’s National office in New York City or Washington D.C. This position can be remote or hybrid. Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship. The Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative (ACDI) was created in the wake of Dobbs to address the criminal defense needs of abortion providers, patients, and those helping people seek abortion care. We are a small and mighty team of criminal defense attorneys that manages and supports a network of experienced defenders nationwide who ready to represent people facing abortion-related criminal investigations and prosecutions. ACDI attorneys also provide legal, strategic, and logistical assistance to support local counsel in providing a coordinated defense against the criminalization of reproductive healthcare. In addition, the ACDI collaborates closely with other projects in the ACLU’s national office, as well as ACLU affiliates and national partners, to drive advocacy that affirmatively fight the harms of laws and policies that restrict access to care.
Requirements
- Currently matriculated legal students
- Based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship
- Enrolled at an ABA accredited law school and has completed at least 1L year
- Excellent legal research skills
- Strong legal writing
- Ability to conduct complex legal analysis
- Strong oral communications skills and the ability to explain to complex legal issues
- Organization including good attention to detail
- Ability to balance multiple assignments
- Team player approach with good communication skills who responds well to feedback
- Initiative to see projects through to completion
- A demonstrated commitment to criminal defense, public interest law, civil rights and liberties, and social justice
- Committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
- Committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
Responsibilities
- Conduct legal research and writing including drafting memoranda, portions of briefs, motions, and training resources
- Track cases and issues of interest to the ACDI
- Assist with performing intakes for those who contact the ACDI in need of criminal defense representation
- Participate in weekly team meetings
- Attend reproductive-rights specific orientation sessions
- Engage with coalition partner organizations on litigation and policy advocacy related to the criminalization of abortion
Benefits
- Stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work.
- Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for the summer.
- Legal interns receive a stipend amount of $24/hour (stipends are taxed)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
