Legal Intern

Aclu-MS; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

40 hours per week

Job summary

ACLU of Mississippi invites law students to apply for a paid internship with the legal team in Jackson, MS. The intern will participate in litigation and advocacy activities, including investigation, client interviewing, research, discovery, and brief writing, plus public speaking and outreach.

Responsibilities cover federal/state court litigation support, reviewing documents, drafting briefs, and assisting with Open Records Act requests.

Qualifications

• Exceptional writing and analytical abilities are required.
• Strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights; nonprofit advocacy experience is valued.
• Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work cooperatively on multiple projects with lawyers and staff.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, develop, and litigate impact civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court.
• Conduct factual and legal research, draft memos, Open Records Act requests, pleadings, and briefs.
• Review and edit letters and briefs for co-counsel and staff; support legal work as needed.

Skills

Writing

Analytical skills

Civil liberties knowledge

Public speaking

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

The ACLU of Mississippi welcomes law students to apply for a paid internship opportunity with our legal team.

The intern will participate in both litigation and non-litigation advocacy activities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in Mississippi. The intern is involved in investigation, client interviewing, legal and factual research, discovery, and brief writing. In addition, the intern has non-litigation advocacy responsibilities including public speaking and outreach. This position is based in the ACLU of Mississippi’s (ACLU-MS) Jackson office.

Responsibilities

Legal

• Participate in investigating, developing, and litigating impact civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court.
• Conduct factual and legal research, prepare memoranda, draft Open Records Act requests, write demand letters, draft pleadings and briefs, conduct discovery, and help write appellate and amicus briefs.
• Review, comment, and edit letters and briefs of co-counsel and other staff.
• Support the legal work of others in the Legal department, as needed.

Advocacy/Public Education

• Advocate for civil liberties and represent the ACLU-MS at events and in coalitions, as appropriate.
• Work with other staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns utilizing high-impact communications, legislative, field organizing, and legal strategies.
• Review and analyze proposed bills for Advocacy team members, raising any potential constitutional or civil rights concerns in the legislation.

Administration, Coordination and Support

• Contribute to the maintenance of the legal docket.
• Work with the Legal Director and other attorneys to screen and develop promising civil liberties cases.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Exceptional writing and analytical skills are required.
• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights, and the mission of the ACLU. Experience in non-profit advocacy or other community-based groups is valuable.
• Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstance.
• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications.
• A flexible, well-organized, reliable, creative, and energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively; flexible and well organized.
• Exceptional research and writing skills.
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
• Proficiency with computers: Windows and Microsoft Office in particular.
• The ACLU of Mississippi is committed to having a diverse workplace. People of color, women, LGBTQ persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interns will receive $20 per hour and are expected to work 40 hours per week.