Summer 2026 Legal Intern, Litigation Department

ACLU - Internships • New York, NY

97d • $24

About The Position

The ACLU seeks a Summer Legal Intern in the General Legal, Litigation Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York City or San Francisco, CA. This position can be remote or hybrid. Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship. Our team supports the ACLU’s National Legal Director. In addition to overseeing the ACLU’s litigation department, the National Legal Director supervises all of the ACLU’s work before the United States Supreme Court, including merits cases, petitions for certiorari, and amicus work.

Requirements

• Completion of 1L year of law school by summer 2026; preference for candidates who will have already completed their 2L year
• Excellent research skills, including conducting internet and legal database research
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing
• Attention to detail, excellent organization and time-management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• The initiative to see projects through to completion
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, and racial justice
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis
• Kindness, generosity, and humility

Nice To Haves

• Experience drafting briefs before the United States Supreme Court
• Familiarity with or previous experience working on one or more of the following topics: Section 1983 litigation; immigration law; LGBTQ rights; free speech; administrative law; national security law; structural constitutional law.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analysis to support new and active litigation projects
• Aid in drafting of legal memoranda, motions, and briefs
• Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys

Benefits

• A stipend amount of $24/hour for those students who are lawfully authorized to work

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees