Summer 2027 Legal Intern
About The Position
NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org.
Requirements
- Full-time law students in their 2L year, and Part-time or dual-degree law students who have completed at least one year of coursework and who will not graduate before summer 2027.
- Strong legal writing, analytical, and oral communication skills
- Experience effectively working on a team
- Creativity and resourcefulness
- Commitment to public service, equity, or justice
- Growth mindset and openness to feedback
- Demonstrated ability to work with people across different social identities and backgrounds
- Record of academic and/or professional accomplishment
- Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission
- Must commit to being in office 3 days/week, Tuesdays - Thursdays.
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience in environmental law or with environmental issues is not required.
- Applicants who have room to grow as legal writers, researchers, and communicators are welcome.
Responsibilities
- Researching and preparing legal memos in support of rulemaking proceedings, litigation case development, and active litigation
- Interviewing NRDC members and preparing standing declarations
- Helping draft and review portions of pleadings and review briefs
- Helping prepare comments to submit to administrative agencies or legislative bodies
- Helping craft proposed legislation to address environmental and public health problems
Benefits
- Paid internship with a stipend of $10,000 paid bi-weekly over the course of 10 weeks (35 hours a week at $28.57 an hour for 10 weeks).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
