Dana Wolfe Memorial Legal Intern

Ocean Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Conservancy is seeking a Dana Wolfe Memorial Legal Intern for Summer 2027. This 10-12 week, 40-hour per week internship offers remote work from multiple states. The role supports the Legal Affairs team in environmental and marine law matters.

Interns will research laws, draft memos, track regulatory changes and gain hands-on experience in nonprofit ocean advocacy. Strong writing and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• This internship requires enrollment in an accredited law school pursuing a juris doctor degree.
• Experience or coursework in environmental law is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze environmental and marine law issues to support program work.
• Draft legal memos and track legislative changes and trends.
• Assist in providing in-house counsel and policy guidance for Ocean Conservancy.

Skills

Legal research

Teamwork

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Law student (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Dana Wolfe Memorial Legal Intern

Intern Professional Remote, AK, US

Salary Range: $23.00 To $25.00 Hourly

POSITION TITLE:

Dana Wolfe Memorial Legal Intern

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM:

Legal Affairs

REPORTS TO:

Legal Affairs Department Attorney

STATUS:

Non-exempt internship; 10-12 weeks; 40 hours per week

LOCATION:

Remote from AK, CA, DC, FL, MD, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy (OC) has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are currently seeking a legal intern to serve as our Dana Wolfe Memorial Legal Intern during Summer 2027. This is a 40-hour per week working internship for rising second- or third-year law students spanning approximately 10 to 12 weeks. Interns may work remotely from select states or may work from an established Ocean Conservancy office.

Dana Wolfe epitomized hard work, dedication and commitment to Ocean Conservancy during her time as an integral part of our legal team (2005-2013). Following her death in 2013, Ocean Conservancy created an internship in her memory.

Ocean Conservancy’s lawyers provide expertise to ensure the development and implementation of effective policies focused on protecting ocean ecosystems. Ocean Conservancy’s strong legal expertise has resulted in meaningful protections for fish, marine wildlife and marine ecosystems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will provide the legal intern with a broad array of experience on environmental and marine legal issues. Work will focus on marine conservation issues nationwide and may include programmatic topics such as water quality regulation, marine debris interventions, offshore renewable energy, offshore oil and gas, climate change, fish conservation, or protection of the Arctic Ocean or the Florida environment.

The intern may research and analyze applicable ocean conservation and management laws, regulations, and policies to support program work. The intern may also track legislative changes and trends, draft legal memos, and aid in the legal guidance of the organization.

The legal intern can expect to work on or drive projects designed to enhance the Ocean Conservancy legal team. The intern will obtain practical in-house counsel and policy experience within a nonprofit environmental group.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Experience or course work on environmental and administrative law preferred.
• Ideal candidates are able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision and be able to handle multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• The preferred candidate is detail-oriented, creative, articulate, personable and self-confident with good interpersonal, organizational, research and communication skills.
• Working effectively as part of a team and the ability to prioritize and multitask are critical to success.
• Candidates must be dependable and reliable in meeting target deliverables according to schedule and expectations.
• Candidates should have excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills, along with experience in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook applications.
• Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited law school pursuing a juris doctor degree.

COMPENSATION

Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected pay ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected starting hourly rate range for this role is $23 - $25 hourly.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.