2026 Summer Legal Intern / Law Clerk

Summary

Youth Law Center (YLC) invites current 1L & 2L students to explore their interest in creating systemic change in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems by applying to join us as a summer 2026 legal intern.

Since 1978, YLC has advocated on behalf of systems-involved young people to end traumatic practices and unsafe conditions in California and nationally and to ensure that young people receive the supports, opportunities, and quality care they need in order to become successful, thriving adults. YLC has led the field to transform the child welfare and juvenile justice systems to be truly child-focused and research-informed, through the use of a variety of advocacy tools: impact litigation, policy reform, media advocacy, collaborative system-change projects, training and technical assistance, and public education. YLC is especially committed to centering the perspectives and voices of the young people and families most impacted by the systems we advocate to change, and we partner with other organizations that share this priority. Please note, YLC does not provide direct legal representation to individual youth and families.

Our summer interns will contribute to a variety of YLC's ongoing and emerging advocacy projects, based on their particular interests and strengths, with a specific goal of developing at least one strong writing sample for use in future job and funding applications for those who need such a sample. Interns will enjoy the benefits of working with multiple attorneys in our highly collaborative, welcoming, and dedicated team, and can look forward to a rich summer program including:

• Receiving training through our annual summer seminar series, providing overviews of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, different strategic approaches to youth and child advocacy, opportunities in public interest law, and key systemic issues informing YLC's advocacy work today;
• Participation in YLC team meetings, strategic advocacy meetings, and other workgroups on areas of interest;
• Close one-on-one supervisory support and feedback from one or more YLC attorneys;
• Opportunities to meet with YLC staff to discuss career interests and opportunities in the field in greater depth;
• Completion of one or more substantial research and writing projects;
• Potential opportunities to observe legislative hearings and to visit juvenile facilities (as available and depending on your location); and
• Invitations to YLC and other summer intern events.

Examples of recent intern projects include:

• A youth-facing written resource on the rights of pregnant and parenting foster youth;
• A handbook on prudent parent standards for foster youth participation in social justice and activism;
• A research memo on civil claims available for mistreatment in juvenile facilities; and
• Comments to promulgated regulations in multiple states regarding licensing of child welfare and juvenile justice facilities. 

Qualified candidates will have excellent research and writing skills, will be able to stay directed and focused in a fully remote work environment, and will have experience and/or interest in child and youth advocacy and a desire to explore nonprofit legal aid and systemic advocacy environments as a possible career path. We are particularly interested in hearing from students with personal, lived experience in child welfare and juvenile justice systems and people from historically marginalized identities that are disproportionately represented in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. YLC believes that those who have experienced these systems are best positioned to understand the impacts of systems change, and we're committed to developing youth advocates with lived experience through our hiring practices.

Position Details

The summer intern position is a full-time, 10-week position. The position may begin as early as the final week of May 2026, with some flexibility for a later start date if needed.

This position will be completed on a fully remote, virtual basis, and applicants are not required to live in or relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area to apply for and fulfill the summer intern position. The option to attend in-person meetings or to reserve individual or group workspace may be available to summer interns living locally in the Bay Area.

Funding - This position will be an unpaid, volunteer position; most summer interns pursue funding through their institution's public interest funding program or other funding program in order to participate. However, YLC can provide need-based funding for students unable to obtain their own sufficient funding for the summer and will ensure funding equity across our intern cohort.

To Apply

You will be required to submit the following documents as your application:

• A cover letter, explaining your interest in working with YLC and in our advocacy for systems-involved young people, including any relevant personal, educational, or professional background that motivates you to pursue this opportunity. If possible, let us know in your cover letter if you believe you will need YLC funding for the summer (this information will not affect hiring decisions).
  • If you have personal lived experience in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, we strongly encourage you to explain in your cover letter your how your experience motivates you to pursue a legal advocacy career.
• Resume, with a list of three professional/academic references
• A legal writing sample

Law school transcripts are not required for this application and will not be factored into our hiring decisions.

Please contact careers@ylc.org with any questions regarding the position or application process, but do not send your application materials to this address. Applications sent via email instead of submitted through the application form will not be considered.

The final deadline for applications is March 6th, 2026, though we recommend applying by mid-January as positions may be filled sooner.

Equal Opportunity Employer

YLC values a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, body size, natural hair style, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Read our full DEI statement here.