2026 Summer Law Clerks

Policyintegrity; New York (NY); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Full time

Job summary

A non-partisan think tank is seeking 1L and 2L law students for a Summer Law Clerk position. The role involves legal research, preparing written memoranda, and contributing to advocacy efforts. Applicants should have strong writing and analytical skills, with an interest in environmental law. This position offers a hybrid work option and is part of a commitment to improve government decision-making in public policy.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Some experience with environmental/energy law is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda.
• Contribute to comment letters, amicus briefs, and policy briefs.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and events.

Skills

Legal research

Writing

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

1L or 2L law student

Job description

The Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law is seeking 1L and 2L law students passionate about environmental law, energy law, environmental justice, administrative law, and/or regulatory policy to assist with our research and advocacy, including comment letters, reports, and amicus briefs.

About Policy Integrity

Policy Integrity is a non‑partisan think tank housed at New York University School of Law dedicated to improving the quality of government decisionmaking through legal advocacy and academic scholarship in the fields of administrative law and public policy. Policy Integrity’s docket covers a range of issue areas, with an emphasis on federal‑ and state‑level energy policies and environmental protections.

Responsibilities

Summer law clerks conduct legal research, prepare written memoranda, and contribute to comment letters, amicus briefs, academic research, and policy briefs. Law clerks also participate as colleagues over the course of the summer, including by joining weekly staff meetings and attending events. Clerks can expect to develop knowledge of a range of advocacy techniques and subject‑area expertise in climate and energy policy, regulatory review, environmental justice, and administrative law. Staff will provide feedback on clerks’ written work and the opportunity to author a writing sample.

To Apply

Send the following documents compiled into one PDF to [e-mail]:

• Resume
• Current law school transcript, if available. 1Ls who are invited to interview may be required to provide first semester grades once finalized.
• Writing sample (required for 2Ls and recommended for 1Ls, with a preference for legal writing when available).
• Applications for 2Ls will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority application review for 1Ls will begin December 1, 2025.

Interested applicants may also apply through the Public Interest Legal Career Fair taking place virtually on February 5 & 6, 2026.

Terms of Employment

Summer law clerks are expected to work approximately 35 hours per week for 10 weeks. Positions will begin between mid‑May through early June and end in August.

Law clerks have the option to work at Policy Integrity’s office at New York University School of Law in New York City, but may also work remotely over the summer. We encourage students to work at our office or on a hybrid schedule.

If funding through a summer law clerk’s home law school is unavailable, Policy Integrity will provide funding. In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Law, the minimum and maximum hourly wage for student employment positions at NYU Law School is $17.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026, for graduate and undergraduate students.

Evaluation

There will be a mid‑summer and end‑of‑summer evaluation and weekly check‑ins with the position supervisors.

Qualifications

This opportunity is open to 1L and 2L law students. We look for candidates with excellent writing, research, and analytical skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills. Some experience with environmental/energy law or issues is preferable, but not required. Because much of our work operates at the intersection of law and economics, we also value experience working on an interdisciplinary team and on interdisciplinary subjects.

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.