Fall Legal Intern, Capital Punishment Project

The ACLU seeks a Legal Intern in the Capital Punishment Project (Justice Division) of the ACLU’s National office in Durham, N.C. or New York City. This position is hybrid and course credit only.

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

The Capital Punishment Project, part of the ACLU’s Center for Justice, challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation, including the direct representation of capital defendants, challenges to systemic problems in the administration of capital punishment, and amicus briefing.

The intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working with Capital Punishment Project. The intern will be responsible for legal and policy research, and legal writing for the Capital Punishment Project. 

• Conducting legal and policy research 
• Drafting memoranda, affidavits, and briefs 
• Researching prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims 
• Researching and drafting materials for public education 

• Complete 1 year of law school before the internship commences
• A demonstrated/ strong interest in the abolition of the death penalty and a commitment to civil rights 
• Excellent research, writing and communication skills 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
• Initiative to see projects through to completion 

• 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 conflicts

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship can be remote or hybrid and based in our New York City or Durham N.C. office.
• Time Commitment: This internship is part-time (10,15 or 20 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Fall internships for part-time span 12 consecutive weeks with a start date of September 8 or September 21.
• Stipend: This internship is course credit only. This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

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.