2027 Summer Legal Intern / Law Clerk

Youth Law Center • San Francisco, CA

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Youth Law Center (YLC) invites current 1L and 2L students to apply for a summer 2027 legal intern position. YLC advocates on behalf of systems-involved young people to end traumatic practices and unsafe conditions in California and nationally, and to ensure young people receive the supports, opportunities, and quality care they need to become thriving adults. YLC uses impact litigation, policy reform, media advocacy, collaborative system-change projects, training and technical assistance, and public education to transform child welfare and juvenile justice systems. YLC is committed to centering the perspectives and voices of young people and families impacted by these systems and partners with organizations that share this priority. YLC does not provide direct legal representation to individual youth and families. Summer interns will contribute to ongoing and emerging advocacy projects, with a goal of developing at least one strong writing sample. Interns will work with multiple attorneys in a collaborative team and participate in a rich summer program including training, team meetings, strategic advocacy meetings, one-on-one supervision, career discussions, research and writing projects, and potential opportunities to observe legislative hearings and visit juvenile facilities.

Requirements

• Current 1L or 2L student.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Ability to stay directed and focused in a fully remote work environment.
• Experience and/or interest in child and youth advocacy.
• Desire to explore nonprofit legal aid and systemic advocacy environments as a possible career path.
• Must apply for summer funding through their school's public interest funding program and/or other funding programs.
• Submit a cover letter explaining interest in YLC and advocacy for systems-involved young people, including relevant personal, educational, or professional background.
• Submit a resume with a list of three professional/academic references.
• Submit a legal writing sample.

Nice To Haves

• Personal, lived experience in child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
• Students from historically marginalized identities that are disproportionately represented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a variety of YLC's ongoing and emerging advocacy projects.
• Develop at least one strong writing sample for use in future job and funding applications.
• Complete one or more substantial research and writing projects.
• Participate in YLC team meetings, strategic advocacy meetings, and other workgroups on areas of interest.
• Potentially observe legislative hearings and visit juvenile facilities (as available and depending on location).

Benefits

• Training through annual summer seminar series.
• Participation in YLC team meetings, strategic advocacy meetings, and other workgroups.
• Close one-on-one supervisory support and feedback.
• Opportunities to meet with YLC staff to discuss career interests.
• Supplementary equity funding as needed after exhausting other funding options.

What This Job Offers

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