General Internship Information

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under law manages a selective, unpaid internship program for talented and committed students in law school, graduate school, and undergraduate programs. Intern coordinators and individual supervisors take great care to see that each student receives high-level assignments, supervision, and regular feedback.

Law Student Interns

The Lawyers' Committee welcomes applications from law students interested in civil rights and community development to work as interns in the spring, summer, and fall. Our summer internship program regularly attracts law students from all over the country. Typically, law students working as interns in the spring and fall attend law schools in the District of Columbia. Each law student intern is assigned to work primarily, but not exclusively, in a specific project area. Although assignments for each intern vary, most students are asked to draft legal documents, write legal research memoranda, and conduct factual investigations.

Graduate Student Interns

The Lawyers' Committee welcomes applications from graduate students in political science, African-American studies, history, urban planning, demography, and other areas related to the civil rights work of the organization. Internship opportunities for graduate students are in the spring and fall only. A graduate student intern is assigned to work primarily, but not exclusively, in a specific project area. Although assignments for each intern vary, most students are asked to analyze policy research, write research memoranda, and conduct factual investigations. Graduate students are encouraged to contact the organization prior to submission of an application to discuss the nature of a potential internship.

Undergraduate Interns

The Lawyers' Committee welcomes applications from undergraduates in liberal arts programs. Internship opportunities for undergraduate students are in the spring and fall only. A college student intern is assigned to work primarily, but not exclusively, in a specific project area. Although assignments for each intern vary, tasks include public policy and public relations work which may involve keeping track of civil rights current events on a daily or weekly basis, writing research memoranda, and conducting factual investigations.

Minimum Requirements

Interns must work a minimum of 40 hours a week for at least 8 weeks during the summer and a minimum of 10 to 15 hours a week during the fall and spring semesters (with a full course load) and 20 hours without a full course load.

Funding Sources

The Lawyers' Committee is unable to pay any portion of the applicant's salary. We are happy to work with students so they may receive academic credit or outside funding for their work.

Hiring Schedule

The Lawyers' Committee begins hiring for summer internships in October of the previous year to coincide with the time applications are due for the Equal Justice Works Career Fair held in Washington, DC each fall. After interviewing candidates at the Career Fair and by telephone, the Lawyers' Committee makes an initial set of offers for its summer program.

First- and second-year law students can also submit applications by December 10 each year. The Lawyers' Committee will conduct a second round of interviews at this time and will make additional offers.

All interested applicants should send a resume, writing sample, and cover letter to Kathy Coates at kcoates@lawyerscommittee.org.

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