Summer 2027 Legal Internship

ACLUM’s Legal team works on cutting-edge civil rights and civil liberties issues, including free speech, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice, reproductive rights, incarceration during COVID-19, transgender rights, open government, police accountability, government surveillance, racial justice, voting rights, democracy, separation of church and state, and other areas.

About the role

Legal interns work on a variety of tasks required for litigation and other legal advocacy, such as complaint investigation, legal research and memo writing, drafting complaints, affidavits, and discovery requests, preparing pretrial motions, trial preparation, drafting appellate briefs, and preparing for oral arguments. Interns work closely with all members of the Legal department under the supervision of an assigned managing attorney. Students may also assist ACLUM’s Legislative Director in developing testimony for legislative hearings and other public policy materials.

Requirements

• Current law school students who will have completed their second year of law school before the internship commences
• Strong legal research, writing, and analysis skills
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with issues related to civil rights, civil liberties, and social justice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong teamwork and collaboration abilities
• Self-motivated with proven ability to work well with colleagues at all levels of an organization, and a wide range of partners within and outside the organization

About the ACLU of Massachusetts

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, ACLUM strengthens and expands public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights, women's rights, criminal justice issues, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights.

Pay

$22 per hour

Schedule

• 10–12 weeks, starting between mid-May and early June 2027
• 40 hours per week
• Hybrid work schedule: in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned

Location

This position is based in Boston, MA. Residency in Massachusetts or within a 60-mile radius of Boston in a contiguous New England state is required for the duration of employment.

Additional Information

• ACLUM has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate; candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated prior to commencing employment. Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
• Fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation.