Fall 2026 Graduate or Legal Intern, Justice Policy & Government Affairs - National Political Advocacy Department

The ACLU seeks a Graduate or Legal Intern for the Justice Policy & Government Affairs team within the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington D.C. This internship is remote.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated graduate or legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

 

The Team:

The National Political Advocacy Department (NPAD) works to strengthen the efforts of the ACLU at federal, state, and local levels of government. The department harnesses the political power that comes from having more than eight million members and supporters, as well as affiliates in every state. By organizing grassroots lobbying and issue campaigns using modern tactics, the ACLU seeks to achieve change as profound in the legislative, administrative, and electoral arenas as it has accomplished through the courts.

 

What You’ll Do:

The intern will work on legal and policy research and writing-related projects centered on criminal justice. They will assist members of our team with researching and analyzing legislation, elected officials, and relevant developments in the political and advocacy landscapes on the state and federal levels. They will help prepare advocacy and public education materials, correspondence, and reports as needed.

Your Day to Day

• Assist with identifying opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas through multiple methods at the federal, state, and local levels. 
• Conduct legal and policy research, and analyze state and federal legislation, advocacy efforts, and related legal and policy issues 
• Monitor legal and legislative developments across states, and assist with identifying opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights
• Prepare advocacy and public education materials, such as model policies and toolkits for ACLU affiliates, partners, and others; draft memorandum and other correspondence 
• As needed, assist with coordinating briefings for government officials and with preparing and drafting testimony on pending legislation 
• Help manage projects and coordinate strategy to reach campaign goals or other policy/political outcomes across ACLU departments, ACLU affiliates, and coalition partners

What You’ll Bring:

• Currently enrolled law or graduate student
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, ending mass incarceration, and challenging racism in the criminal legal system
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex research, analysis and fact-finding
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion 

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• 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
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is part-time and remote from our Washington D.C. office.
• Time Commitment: Part-time (10, 15 or 20 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Part-time internships span 12 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: September 8th or September 21st
• Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
  • Below are the stipend rates:
    
    • $24/hr for graduate and law students or equivalent experience
    • This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit

Priority Application Deadline: 7/10/2025

While there is a priority deadline, our project is committed to reviewing all applications on a rolling basis until the closing of posting.

 

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. 

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

To maintain the integrity of our assessment process, please refrain from using AI-powered chatbots, search engines, or real-time assistance tools to generate your CV, cover letter or writing sample (if required). We want to better understand your individual skills and thought processes. If you require AI tools or other assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Accommodation Request Form so that we can support an accessible and equitable experience.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.