Summer 2025 Justice Legal Internship

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. 

The Brennan Center’s Justice Program seeks to secure our nation’s promise of “equal justice for all” by creating a rational, effective, and fair justice system. Its priority focus is to reduce mass incarceration while keeping down crime. The program melds law, policy, and economics to produce new empirical analyses and innovative policy solutions to advance this critical goal.  

We seek law students to work alongside staff in our New York office on the Brennan Center’s policy advocacy. Activities may include legal and policy analysis; legislative drafting at federal, state, and local levels; administrative and legislative advocacy; public education and scholarship.  

Students receive one-on-one supervision of their legal work by lawyers on our staff. Legal interns are not compensated by the Brennan Center for their internships, but we can help accommodate coursework requirements upon request.  We strive to offer a fun and intellectually-challenging legal intern experience that supports and supplements the vital advocacy offered by the Brennan Center. Our research, policy development, and advocacy focus on systemic reform that combats discrimination and inequality and promotes civic participation. Interns assist attorneys with litigation, scholarship, public education, legislative counseling, and advocacy, with an emphasis on legal research and writing. The Brennan Center’s interns are integral to all aspects of our work, including programmatic and strategic planning. 
 

Note: This internship is in-person at our New York office. 

Qualifications: Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills; initiative, imagination, and versatility; and a passion for our issues. 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire interns who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion.   
 

This internship is only open to current law students. 

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm EST)

Pay: Stipends are available for students who are unable to secure funding from their law school or elsewhere. Stipend amounts vary based on class year and how much funding, if any, an applicant has secured from other sources. If offered a position, students must request and complete an application for the stipend. 

Duration: May 27th – August 5th (10 weeks) 

Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 
 
Note: The Brennan Center will follow the rules of your school regarding internships. Therefore, if a school doesn’t allow you to do a paid internship for some reason (i.e., receiving credit, etc.), then your internship will not be paid. In addition, if you are participating in a formal school internship program that allows you to work more than our stated hours, we will make a determination based on our needs and further assessment of your school’s program.

The following material is required to apply for our internship: 

1. a cover letter explaining why you are interested in Justice Program issues; 

2. a current law school transcript; 

3. a legal writing sample; 

4. a current resume; and 

5. contact information for three references. 

To Apply: Please visit >>LINK HERE<< and upload all of the required materials (see above). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested students to apply early, as the positions will be filled once qualified candidates are found. No phone calls, please. 

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with "Justice Legal Summer Internship" in the subject line, after registering in the online system. Applying through our website is strongly preferred. 

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

• Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.