2027 Post Conviction Litigation Summer Law Student Intern

Innocence Project • New York, NY

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Post-Conviction Litigation (PCL) Department Summer 2027 Law Student Intern will support the litigation and direct client representation provided by PCL staff, who collectively represent nearly 200 people wrongfully convicted of crimes around the country. The intern will gain hands-on experience working directly with clients and communities impacted by wrongful convictions, collaborating with supervising attorneys on active post-conviction cases. The internship is an in-person, paid, 10-week position working 40 hours per week, from June 2, 2027 through August 7, 2027. Compensation is $19.50 per hour.

The Innocence Project works to free innocent people, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable justice systems. Its work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. The organization has helped free or exonerate more than 250 people and has contributed to more than 200 state laws and federal reforms.

The organization values a diverse workforce and encourages applications from people of varied backgrounds and experiences, including people with personal connections to the criminal legal system. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Be a rising 2L or 3L law student.
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense, racial justice, and innocence work.
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Client-centered approach to legal representation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including the ability to construct cogent arguments.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusion and to valuing individuals and respecting differences.
• Commitment to public interest and enthusiasm for social justice and the Innocence Project's work.
• Shares the Innocence Project's values of accountability, collaboration, empathy and compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness.

Nice To Haves

• Personal connection to the criminal legal system.

Responsibilities

• Support the post-conviction litigation docket through legal research, memo writing, and creating discovery and/or trial transcript digests.
• Assist in writing claims or entire motions for post-conviction DNA testing and/or post-conviction relief.
• Develop investigation plans.
• Communicate with clients and their families.
• Work with supervising attorneys on active post-conviction cases to develop litigation strategy, communicate with courts, prosecutors, and other criminal legal system stakeholders, and prepare for evidentiary hearings.

Benefits

• Paid internship at $19.50 per hour.

What This Job Offers

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