Public Rights Project: Spring 2022 Internship
Position Title: Spring 2022 Externships
Position Description: Spring 2022 Public Rights Project Internship
Who We Are
Public Rights Project seeks current law students for legal intern placements in Spring 2022. Legal interns will work remotely.
Public Rights Project is a public interest legal nonprofit launched in 2017 to close the gap between the promise of our laws and the lived reality of marginalized communities. We support state, local, and tribal governments to implement a scalable, community-accountable model to enforce their residents’ legal rights. We work closely with a network of more than 70 governments across the country.
What We Do
We work with state and local prosecutors' offices, including Attorneys General, District Attorneys, and City Attorneys' Offices. We help them identify promising legal theories to enforce their residents' legal rights, and we help them marshal the resources to take action. We also run a fellowship program to embed early-career attorneys in government and to train attorneys currently working in government.
PRP's litigation work includes representing local governments in strategic litigation. For example, PRP filed a case as co-counsel to the cities of Portland and Oakland to challenge the deployment of federal law enforcement in response to racial justice protests during the summer of 2020. We are currently gearing up to file a case on behalf of local governments in Florida to challenge a budgeting provision in HB 1. PRP also organizes and files amicus briefs on behalf of local governments on issues like housing, reproductive, and workers’ rights. In October, we submitted a brief on behalf of more than 30 local governments in support of challenges to SB 8 before the U.S. Supreme Court. Across issue areas, we advocate against state efforts to abusively preempt local government actions that protect historically underserved communities.
What We’re Looking For
An internship with Public Rights Project would be ideal for students interested in cutting-edge impact litigation, public service, and creative strategies to advance core civil rights, the rights of workers and consumers, and more. Interns will have an opportunity to work directly with the Legal Director, Staff Attorneys, Legal Fellows, multiple cities and states across the country, and community and nonprofit partners. Interns will also have an opportunity to contribute to case generation, development, and strategy, shape the direction of Public Rights Project, and gain valuable experience in organizational and program design.
What You Bring
-Excellent research and writing skills
-Passion for social justice and public service lawyering
-Experience with legal advocacy through clinics, non-profits, government, and/or plaintiff-side litigation is a plus, but not required
-Self-motivation and the ability to structure your time effectively
Time Commitment:
Spring interns must be able to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week.
How to Apply
Interested individuals should submit the following materials to applications@publicrightsproject.org:
-Cover letter (no more than 1 page)
-Resume
-Writing sample (no more than 10 pages). Please include a cover page that explains if the work is solely your own or if you received any edits/contributions from others, including a professor or supervisor.
We value diversity and welcome potential interns from all backgrounds. If you require accommodations during the application process please email elsa@publicrightsproject.org.
Funding for Spring Internship: During the spring term, this is an unpaid opportunity. Interns must either obtain credit from their law school or secure outside funding. Public Rights Project will work with interns to do so.
Deadline for Spring Internships: We will begin reviewing applications on 11/22/2021 and will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Do not hesitate to submit after 11/22/2021 or to email to inquire if the position is still available.
Deadline: 12/31/2021
Eligibility: 2L, 3L
Location: Remote