Legal Intern

The American Institute of Architects • Washington, DC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the leading professional association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners in the United States, representing more than 100,000 members across 270+ state and local components. AIA advocates at every level of government on issues central to the profession and the public: housing affordability, building codes and resilience, professional licensure, climate action, and procurement reform.

Position Summary
 The Legal Intern will assist the in-house legal function with contracts, intellectual property, compliance, and risk assessment, gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit legal operations while supporting day-to-day legal needs and collaborating with internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in an accredited Juris Doctor (JD) program (required)

Nice To Haves

• Strong academic performance and demonstrated interest in contract law, nonprofit law, or in-house practice
• Prior internship or coursework related to contracts, business law, or intellectual property is a plus

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research on a variety of topics, including nonprofit law, contracts, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance
• Assist in drafting legal documents, including cease and desist letters, termination notices, and internal memoranda
• Review, analyze, and summarize contracts for legal and business risks
• Redline agreements to align with organizational priorities and risk tolerance
• Support the contract lifecycle process, including intake, review, and tracking
• Assist with intellectual property matters, including trademark monitoring and basic enforcement efforts
• Help identify and assess commercial and operational risks in proposed agreements or initiatives
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand business needs and translate them into clear contractual terms
• Support legal operations projects, including process improvement and document management

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees