Summer 2027 Legal Intern, Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative

<h2><strong>About the Role</strong></h2> <p>The ACLU seeks a <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>Legal</strong> Intern in the <strong>Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative </strong>of the ACLU’s National office in <strong>New York City or Washington D.C. </strong>This position can be remote or hybrid.</p> <p><strong>Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.</strong></p> <h2><strong>The Team:</strong></h2> <p>The Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative (ACDI) was created in the wake of <em>Dobbs</em> to address the criminal defense needs of abortion providers, patients, and those helping people seek abortion care. We are a small and mighty team of criminal defense attorneys that manages and supports a network of experienced defenders nationwide who ready to represent people facing abortion-related criminal investigations and prosecutions. ACDI attorneys also provide legal, strategic, and logistical assistance to support local counsel in providing a coordinated defense against the criminalization of reproductive healthcare. In addition, the ACDI collaborates closely with other projects in the ACLU’s national office, as well as ACLU affiliates and national partners, to drive advocacy that affirmatively fight the harms of laws and policies that restrict access to care.</p> <h2><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong></h2> <p>As an intern, you’ll be an integral part of the ACDI team and will have the opportunity to meaningfully support defensive and affirmative advocacy related to the criminalization of abortion care. In addition to legal research and writing to support advocacy, Interns will also participate in weekly team meetings, attend reproductive-rights specific orientation sessions, and engage with coalition partner organizations on litigation and policy advocacy related to the criminalization of abortion.</p> <h2><strong>Your Day to Day:</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Conduct legal research and writing including drafting memoranda, portions of briefs, motions, and training resources</li> <li>Track cases and issues of interest to the ACDI</li> <li><span class="TextRun SCXW15471972 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW15471972 BCX8">Assist with performing intakes for those who contact the ACDI in need of criminal defense representation</span></span><span class="EOP Selected SCXW15471972 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <h2><strong>What You'll Bring:</strong></h2> <p>The internship is open to law students who will have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences. Interns should possess the following: </p> <ul> <li>Enrolled at an ABA accredited law school and has completed at least 1L year. </li> <li>Excellent legal research skills, strong legal writing, and ability to conduct complex legal analysis. </li> <li>Strong oral communications skills and the ability to explain to complex legal issues. </li> <li>Organization including good attention to detail, and the ability to balance multiple assignments. </li> <li>Team player approach with good communication skills who responds well to feedback. </li> <li>Initiative to see projects through to completion.</li> <li>A demonstrated commitment to criminal defense, public interest law, civil rights and liberties, and social justice. </li> </ul> <h2><strong>Future ACLU'ers Will:</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU</li> <li>Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives</li> <li>Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Internship Logistics</strong></h2> <ul> <li><strong>Location</strong>: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship may be <strong>remote or </strong><strong>hybrid and based in our New York City or Washington D.C. office.</strong></li> <li><strong>Time Commitment</strong>: Summer internships require a full time (35 hour/week) commitment for 10 consecutive weeks.</li> <li><strong>Internship Duration</strong>: This internship has a start date of <strong>May 24 or June 7.</strong></li> <li><strong>Stipend</strong>: <span class="TextRun SCXW218103573 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightHovered SCXW218103573 BCX8">A stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work. Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for the summer. Legal interns receive a stipend amount of $24/hour (stipends are taxed)</span></span><span class="EOP CommentHighlightHovered SCXW218103573 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Priority Application Deadline:</strong><strong> by October 19th</strong></p> &l