Winter-Spring 2027 Legal Internship-Externship

ACLU of Washington • Seattle, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) offers a Winter-Spring 2027 legal externship for law school students. The externship provides hands-on experience applying constitutional theories and case law to legal problems, investigating complaints, learning administrative regulations and agency protocols, and developing a practical understanding of constitutional law. Academic credit can be arranged; the position provides no financial compensation, and externs should receive credit for hours worked.

Law students gain exposure to racial justice, civil liberties, and civil rights issues and develop legal research and writing skills while working closely with staff attorneys. The position is part- or full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks. It is based in downtown Seattle and follows a hybrid workstyle, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support; the extern needs an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone.

The work can be emotionally demanding and calls for thoughtful communication and resilience. ACLU-WA is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. It does not conduct criminal background checks. Reasonable accommodations may be available to individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

• Be an academic rising 2L or 3L during the Winter-Spring 2027 externship period.
• Have an interest in civil liberties and civil rights.
• Have good interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Be able to write clearly and concisely.
• Have an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone.
• Work in the office at least two days per week.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and write legal memoranda with staff attorneys.
• Draft correspondence to government agencies in response to documented complaints of civil liberties and civil rights violations.
• Assist ACLU attorneys in developing cases for litigation.
• Assist with litigating cases through pre-trial matters and trial.
• Assist with submissions of amicus curiae briefs in state and federal appellate courts.
• Conduct factual investigations of complaints.

Benefits

• Hands-on legal experience and development of legal research and writing skills.
• Academic credit can be arranged; externs should receive credit for hours worked.
• ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support.

What This Job Offers

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