Education policy center and center law internship

Description

Position: Summer 2026 Hybrid Education Policy Center and Racial Justice Center Law Student Internship

Department: Education Policy Center and Racial Justice Center

Terms of Employment: Internship

Location: New York Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broadway, NY, NY and 55 Broadway, NY, NY (NYCLU Staff is currently working on a hybrid model)

Salary: The NYCLU will provide a stipend for summer interns who do not receive funding from their law school or any other external funding.

Application Deadline: Applications for second-year law students are strongly preferred by Monday, November 10, 2025 . Applications for first-year law students are due by Friday, January 9, 2026 , and will be reviewed after that date.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties. Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and eight offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website:

DEI VISION STATEMENT

The NYCLU is committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace that centers the voices of marginalized and directly impacted communities. This commitment strengthens our mission to protect civil liberties and advance justice across New York. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and others whose experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Summary Description

The NYCLU seeks a diverse group of current law students for Summer 2026 internships. During our 10-week program (May 26, 2026 to August 7, 2026), the interns will engage in legal research and writing to support litigation, advocacy, and legislative priorities across New York State. This intern will be based in the Racial Justice Center and will work with the Education Policy Center on selected projects.

The NYCLU fights for every child’s right to an education. The Education Policy Center works to ensure public schools and institutions that serve young people in New York empower students, treat them fairly and equally, and create safe environments for them to learn and grow. The Center advances its agenda through legislative advocacy, litigation, organizing, and public education.

The Racial Justice Center (RJC) was established in 2023 to expand and deepen the NYCLU's racial justice portfolio. The NYCLU Racial Justice Center is in deep collaboration with the NYCLU departments and centers with all of the NYCLU priorities. The RJC also leads its own advocacy, legislation, and litigation docket. Primarily focuses on environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and restorative efforts.

How To Apply

Applicants should have a commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, and education. Teaching experience or other relevant education experience is a plus. Applications will be reviewed and offers will be made on a rolling basis.

Please send a cover letter describing your interest in a Summer Internship at the NYCLU and any relevant education experience, a resume, and a recent writing sample that is wholly your own unedited work (submit a brief, motion, or memorandum of law, not to exceed 10 pages). Please upload your writing sample with your cover letter as one document via

The NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status , sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve.

The NYCLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.