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justice intern

title: "Justice Intern: Shape the Future of Equity and Law"
salary: $18/hr - $25/hr
categories: [Internship, Legal, Non-Profit, Social Justice, Policy]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a "Justice Intern: Shape the Future of Equity and Law".

🎯 Role Definition

The Justice Intern is a vital member of our team, providing essential support to our legal, policy, and advocacy departments. This role is designed for a proactive and detail-oriented individual eager to learn about the inner workings of a justice-focused organization. You will be immersed in substantive work, contributing directly to our mission of advancing civil rights, criminal justice reform, and systemic equity. This is not a "get coffee" internship; you will be an active participant in our fight for justice, gaining unparalleled exposure to the front lines of social change.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Undergraduate Student (Junior/Senior)
  • Law Student (1L/2L)
  • Recent Graduate (BA/JD)
  • Paralegal Studies Program

Advancement To:

  • Paralegal
  • Policy Analyst
  • Associate Attorney (post-law school)
  • Community Organizer
  • Legal Fellow

Lateral Moves:

  • Government Affairs Specialist
  • Non-Profit Program Coordinator
  • Communications Associate for Advocacy

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive legal and factual research on a wide range of civil rights and civil liberties issues, including criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, and voting rights.
  • Draft legal memoranda, case summaries, sections of briefs, and affidavits for active litigation and pre-litigation investigations under the supervision of staff attorneys.
  • Assist with all aspects of discovery in litigation, including reviewing documents, drafting requests and responses, and preparing for depositions.
  • Analyze and track proposed state and federal legislation, court decisions, and administrative regulations relevant to the organization's advocacy priorities.
  • Prepare materials for advocacy meetings with policymakers, stakeholders, and community partners, including talking points, one-pagers, and policy briefs.
  • Support client-facing work by conducting initial intake interviews, documenting case details, and providing appropriate referrals and information to individuals seeking assistance.
  • Investigate potential new cases by interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and summarizing factual findings for the legal team.
  • Draft public-facing content, such as blog posts, op-eds, and social media updates, to educate the public on key justice issues.
  • Assist in the preparation of reports and white papers on systemic issues, combining legal analysis with empirical data and personal stories.
  • Monitor news media and academic journals for developments related to our core issue areas, providing timely updates to the team.
  • Attend and summarize court proceedings, legislative hearings, and community coalition meetings to keep the organization informed of real-time developments.
  • Support the development of "know your rights" materials and other public education resources for impacted communities.
  • Assist attorneys in preparing for oral arguments, trials, and other court appearances by organizing exhibits and creating witness binders.
  • Cite-check, proofread, and edit legal documents and publications to ensure accuracy and adherence to Bluebook or other citation standards.
  • Participate in case selection meetings, contributing research and analysis to discussions about potential litigation and advocacy campaigns.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the planning and execution of convenings, panel discussions, and community-based events focused on justice and equity.
  • Manage and organize case files, discovery documents, and research materials using both physical and digital records management systems.
  • Provide administrative support for legal and policy staff, including scheduling meetings, preparing materials, and taking detailed meeting minutes.
  • Screen and respond to public inquiries for legal assistance, information, and collaboration opportunities in a professional and empathetic manner.
  • Collaborate with the communications team to identify compelling stories and data points that can be used for public advocacy and fundraising.
  • Help maintain databases tracking legislative progress, case outcomes, and community outreach efforts to measure organizational impact.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis on topics related to criminal justice statistics, demographic trends, and policy outcomes.
  • Participate in internal strategy sessions and contribute fresh perspectives on organizational goals and tactical approaches.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Legal Research: Proficiency in using legal research databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other online resources to find and analyze statutes, case law, and regulations.
  • Legal Writing: Ability to draft clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents, including memos, briefs, and formal correspondence.
  • Policy Analysis: Skill in analyzing legislation, regulations, and public policy proposals to assess their potential impact on affected communities.
  • Citation Management: Familiarity with legal citation standards, particularly The Bluebook, for academic and court-mandated document formatting.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Strong command of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for drafting documents, analyzing data, and creating presentations.
  • Data Analysis: Basic ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative data to support research and advocacy efforts.

Soft Skills

  • Passion for Social Justice: A deep and demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, civil rights, and public interest causes.
  • Excellent Communication: Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to research, writing, and administrative tasks to ensure accuracy and quality of work.
  • Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze complex problems, identify key issues, and develop creative and logical solutions.
  • Initiative & Independence: Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines with minimal supervision.
  • Empathy & Interpersonal Skills: High emotional intelligence and the ability to interact with clients, colleagues, and community members with compassion and professionalism.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate or graduate program.

Preferred Education:

  • Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school (1L or 2L) or a graduate program in public policy, political science, sociology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Law (JD)
  • Public Policy
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Human Rights

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-2 years of relevant experience (can include significant coursework, volunteer work, or previous internships).

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated interest in social justice, civil rights, or public interest law through coursework, volunteer activities, clinical experience, or prior work. Experience working with diverse or marginalized communities is a significant plus.
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