Intern- Legal

Location: Arlington, VA 

Duration: (flexible in May to August) 

Part-time: (15-20 hours/week).

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Eligibility: Law students. Must be eligible to work in the U.S. 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

About Spirit of America:

Spirit of America is a privately funded 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside U.S. troops and diplomats and providing private assistance to defend freedom, strengthen America’s national security, and save and improve lives.

Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the US military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide us with logistical support. No other non-profit has such an agreement. Thus, every dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the U.S. government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investment in Spirit of America with asymmetrical impact and return on investment.

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.

About the Role

The legal intern supports legal and compliance activities within a mission-driven nonprofit organization. This role provides practical exposure to nonprofit compliance, contracts, legal research, documentation, and project-based tasks under appropriate supervision.

The legal intern will work closely with chief legal officer and associate counsel on real-world legal matters that directly support organizational operations and strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with legal research related to nonprofit law, federal regulations, and compliance
• Support the review, organization, and tracking of contracts, grants, export control reviews, and other legal documents
• Support risk reviews for partner vetting to carry out national security philanthropy activities around the world, including many conflict settings.
• Draft and edit internal legal memos, training tools, and summary briefs for leadership review

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on Learning: Work directly on international and domestic in-house legal and compliance matters that support Spirit of America’s mission and operations.
• Department Immersion: This is an active, project-based internship. Interns will take ownership of a focused legal or compliance project that culminates in a final deliverable or presentation at the end of the internship.
• Mentorship & Exposure: Gain exposure to nonprofit in-house counsel roles, partnerships with government and private sector actors, and transactional law decision-making.
• Mission-Driven Experience: Learn how a legal professional can support national security, humanitarian operations, and ethical nonprofit management.
• Professional Networking: Participate in staff meetings, one-on-one mentorship sessions, leadership roundtables, and professional development events.

Required Qualifications

• Current enrollment as a law student
• Strong written communication, research, and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and organizational ability
• Professional judgment and ability to handle confidential information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint) and legal AI tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic focus or demonstrated interest in international, humanitarian, trade, national security and/or nonprofit law
• Prior coursework or experience in the above areas of law
• Interest in public service or nonprofit operations

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter indicating in compelling detail why you are interested in this position and why you would succeed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Spirit of America is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable law.