U.S. Summer Legal Internship

EarthRights International • Washington, DC

85d

About The Position

EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, is seeking summer interns for our Washington, D.C., office. ERI's U.S. Summer Legal Interns are law students able to work full-time for at least 10-12 weeks during the summer. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and program support for ERI activities all over the world. Law students may be J.D. or LL.M. students, but must have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship. Over the past 30 years, ERI has built a reputation as one of the leading legal organizations representing communities and individuals from around the world whose rights, livelihoods and homelands are harmed by corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our lawyers have worked closely with our clients, co-counsel, partner NGOs, campaigners and others to bring groundbreaking lawsuits and pursue legal advocacy to provide remedies and ensure legal accountability. Our cases have set legal precedents, brought millions of dollars of compensation to our clients, and changed the behavior of corporations and other institutions; one of our cases involving environmental harms to communities in India, Jam v. International Finance Corporation, was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court and set important precedent for future accountability of international financial institutions. Another, Doe v. Chiquita Brands International, resulted in the first U.S. jury finding of liability for human rights abuses abroad. Legal interns participate in various projects associated with these and many other cases, including legal research and writing and assistance in all phases of litigation, as well as other legal work including development of new cases, monitoring and exploring developments in human rights and environmental law, researching and utilizing other mechanisms of corporate accountability, and helping to coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic or international cases. Interns are fully integrated into ERI’s U.S. legal team and may work with any of ERI’s attorneys and other staff in advocacy and communications programs.

Requirements

• A demonstrated commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve vulnerable communities and/or protect human rights and the environment.
• Independent and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive client relationships and protect confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in languages other than English; Spanish fluency is highly desired.
• A background in international human rights law, environmental law, corporate accountability, and/or indigenous peoples’ rights.
• Experience in regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or other fields related to human rights and environmental protection.
• Knowledge and experience with regional and international legal mechanisms for the protection of human rights and the environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency.
• Experience or interest in working with people from diverse cultures.
• A positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal research and writing support for ERI activities.
• Assist in all phases of litigation.
• Develop new cases and monitor developments in human rights and environmental law.
• Research and utilize mechanisms of corporate accountability.
• Coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic or international cases.

Benefits

• Interns will be paid at the D.C. minimum wage if law school funding is not secured.
• Opportunity to work with a leading legal organization in human rights and environmental law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees