Summer 2026 Democracy Legal Internship

Brennan Center for Justice • Washington D.C., DC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion. Legal interns will support both our Democracy and Elections & Government Programs. The Democracy Program ensures that our elections are fair, representative, secure, and independent; that every voter can accessibly and safely vote; and that our checks, balances, and guardrails are bolstered and strengthened. The Elections & Government Program works to reform the influence of big money in politics; address corruption and improve government ethics; and strengthen election administration, including tracking misinformation and disinformation and working with partners such as CSSE (Committee for Safe and Secure Elections). The Brennan Center’s Democracy and Elections & Government Programs aim to perfect the ideal of representative self-government by advocating for public policies and institutions that reflect a diverse, engaged, and energetic democracy. The programs collaborate with grassroots groups, advocacy organizations, and reform-minded government officials to promote policies that eliminate barriers to full and equal political participation. Note: This internship is in-person at our Washington D.C. office. Candidates should indicate in their cover letters if they are applying for the New York office, the DC office, or both. Candidates interested in both offices should submit only one application. The Brennan Center’s interns are integral to all aspects of our work, including programmatic and strategic planning. We seek law students to work alongside staff in our New York and Washington, DC, offices on the Brennan Center’s policy advocacy, research, and litigation initiatives. Activities may include legal, policy, and factual research to advance administrative and legislative advocacy at federal, state, and local levels; public education and scholarship; and litigation in trial and appellate courts. We strive to offer a fun and intellectually challenging legal intern experience that supports the vital advocacy offered by the Brennan Center. Interns may conduct legal research and writing for amicus briefs, policy reports, and other advocacy documents; draft communications to legislators; assist with public comments to federal agencies; attend coalition meetings; draft posts for the Brennan Center website; and more. Assignments will be drawn from the programs’ work on voting rights (including work against practices likely to suppress the vote or have a disproportionate impact on communities of color); reform of election administration (including responses to falsehoods about elections and threats of political violence); campaign finance reform and the empowerment of historically disenfranchised communities; protecting the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the courts; and eliminating partisan gerrymandering and other manipulations of electoral maps.

Requirements

• Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills
• Initiative, imagination, and versatility
• A passion for our issues
• This internship is only open to law students in Summer 2026

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and writing for amicus briefs, policy reports, and other advocacy documents
• Draft communications to legislators
• Assist with public comments to federal agencies
• Attend coalition meetings
• Draft posts for the Brennan Center website

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees