Impact Litigation Intern

Human Rights First; New York (NY); On-site; Full time

Job description

Impact Litigation Intern - Fall 2026

The Impact Litigation team in the New York office of Human Rights First seeks a motivated legal intern for Fall 2026 to assist in the preparation of a case addressing well-documented human rights abuses abroad as to which there has been little to no accountability. Interns will have the opportunity to conduct legal and factual research, draft legal memoranda, collaborate with attorneys on case strategy, and potentially meet with clients.

How will you make a difference in the human rights space through this internship?

An intern would have the opportunity to play a formative role in developing a case aimed at securing redress for long-standing human rights abuses. The intern would develop skills in legal and factual research and analysis, the case‑strategy creation, and client identification, all in the context of addressing a profound human rights crisis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Legal research and analysis with concurrent memorandum drafting
• Factual research and analysis in connection with formulation of claims
• Case strategy development

Desired Skills and Experience

• Strong organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, and creative problem‑solving skills
• Legal research and writing skills
• Dedicated interest and passion for human‑rights‑related advocacy
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients
• Arabic language skills a plus

Education

Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program

Compensation

Unpaid

Submission Deadline

July 24, 2026

Start Date

September 8, 2026

End Date

December 11, 2026

Time Commitment

15 hours per week, minimum

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.