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

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The ACLU seeks a Graduate or Legal Intern for the Justice Policy & Government Affairs team within the National Political Advocacy Department. The intern will work on legal and policy research and writing-related projects centered on criminal justice, assisting the team with analyzing legislation and preparing advocacy materials.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

• 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
• Must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship

Benefits

• Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
• This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

Company Overview

• The ACLU is an non-profit, non-partisan organization of people who believe in the power of action. It was founded in 1920, and is headquartered in New York, New York, USA, with a workforce of 501-1000 employees. Its website is https://www.aclu.org/.