2027 Post Conviction Litigation Summer Law Student Intern

Innocence Project; New York (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Innocence Project invites a Summer 2027 Law Student Intern to work directly with staff in the Post-Conviction Litigation Department. You will assist attorneys on active post-conviction cases, prepare motions, and help with litigation strategy while gaining hands-on client experience.

This in-person, paid internship runs for 10 weeks from June 2, 2027 to August 7, 2027, totaling 40 hours per week. Candidates should be passionate about racial justice and strong in legal research and writing.

Qualifications

• Rising 2L or 3L law student with interest in indigent defense and innocence work.
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Support post-conviction litigation docket with legal research and memo writing.
• Assist in writing claims or motions for DNA testing and post-conviction relief.
• Develop investigation plans and communicate with clients and families.
• Prepare discovery and trial transcript digests.

Skills

Rising 2L/3L

Legal research

Persuasive writing

Authorized to work in the U.S.

Education

Law student (2L/3L)

Job description

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Post-Conviction Litigation (“PCL”) Department Summer 2027 Law Student Interns will work to support the litigation and direct client representation provided by the staff of the PCL Department which, collectively, represents nearly 200 people wrongfully convicted of crimes around the country.

PCL Summer Law Student Interns will gain hands-on experience working directly with clients and communities impacted by wrongful convictions. Interns will work with their supervising attorneys on active post-conviction cases to help prepare written motions, develop litigation strategy, communicate with courts, prosecutors, and other criminal legal system stakeholders, and prepare for evidentiary hearings.

This position will be an in-person 10-week paid internship working 40 hours per week. The internship will commence on June 2, 2027 and will end on August 7, 2027.

All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for this internship is passionate about racial justice, is eager to learn directly about post-conviction litigation, is a clear communicator, and is an excellent legal researcher and writer.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting post-conviction litigation docket through legal research, memo writing, and creating discovery and/or trial transcript digests;
• Assisting in writing claims or entire motions for post-conviction DNA testing and/or post-conviction relief;
• Developing investigation plans;
• Communicating with clients and their families.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Rising 2L or 3L
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense, racial justice, and innocence work
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Client-centered approach to legal representation
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment Excellent analytic and writing skills, and ability to construct cogent arguments
• Great interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to practicing inclusion within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shares in the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Upon submission of your application you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) survey. This survey is part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The information you provide is voluntary and confidential. Completing the survey helps us track our progress in creating a fair and equitable environment. This data is used for reporting purposes only. Please note, the identities presented in the survey reflect federal language required by law. The Innocence Project acknowledges that not all identities are included and any reference to gender explicitly refers to biological sex. We recognize these terms are limited and we strive to humanize our internal practices. Your completion of the survey is greatly appreciated.

COMPENSATION

$19.50 per hour