Legal Summer Intern

SoundExchange; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work (Tue & Wed onsite)

Housing stipend

Transportation stipend

Job summary

SoundExchange offers a 10-week paid Legal Summer Internship in Washington, DC, with hybrid work arrangement (onsite Tue and Wed). The program runs approximately June 1, 2027 to August 6, 2027 and includes a $20.00 per hour wage plus a one-time $2,000 housing/transportation stipend, for 35–40 hours per week.

Interns will read and summarize music industry news, assess takedown recordings, determine rights ownership, and research compliance histories. Presentations at the end cap the experience.

Qualifications

• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• Undergraduates preferred; graduates may apply
• Sharp written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Read and summarize music industry news articles
• Listen to sound recordings transmitted by webcasting services marked for takedown
• Determine rights owner ownership of sound recordings transmitted by services marked for takedown
• Research compliance history of webcasting services without licenses
• Review history of communication and compliance of services marked for escalation
• Provide recommendations on potential escalations for Licensing and Enforcement
• Present a final internship presentation at conclusion

Skills

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Enrolled in degree program

GPA 3.0+

Job description

Title: Legal Summer Intern
Department: Legal
Job Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid: in office Tuesdays & Wednesdays)

Position Summary

SoundExchange 2027 Summer Internship Program

We’re SoundExchange, and we’re on a mission to efficiently collect and distribute royalties, advocate on behalf of creators, and develop trusted business solutions for the music industry. Why? Because we love music and we value the people behind it.

If you’re as passionate about music and championing creators as we are, we want you to join the band! SoundExchange offers a robust 10‐week paid internship program each summer for talented, motivated students to work in our Washington, DC office. The program is designed to expand exposure to the music tech industry and provide relevant and practical work experience in an area of interest.

As a SoundExchange intern, we’ll welcome you as an integral member of our dedicated and diverse team. You will have the unique opportunity to take on roles similar to those of a full‐time hire and dive into projects that contribute to the organization’s mission while growing your skills, forging new professional relationships, and enhancing your resume.

• $20.00 per hour
• One‐time taxable stipend of $2,000.00 to assist with housing and transportation
• 35‐40 hours per week
• Flexibility to work hybrid (two days, Tues and Weds on‐site required)
• Participate in a comprehensive educational series and engage with various SoundExchange leaders across the organization
• Build your network with your fellow interns and SoundExchange staff

Internship Key Dates

• Program dates: Approximately June 1, 2027 – August 6, 2027
• Deadline: All applications must be received no later than November 7th, 2026
• Internship interviews: September 2026 – November 2026
• Selection & Notification: December 2026

What To Expect As A Legal Intern

• Read and summarize music industry news articles
• Listen to sound recordings transmitted by webcasting services marked for takedown
• Determine rights owner ownership of sound recordings transmitted by services marked for takedown
• Research compliance history of webcasting services that have not licensed with SoundExchange
• Review the full history of communication and compliance of services marked for potential escalation
• Provide recommendations on potential escalations for the Licensing and Enforcement team to consider for next steps
• All interns are required to give a presentation at the conclusion of their internship

Eligibility & Requirements

• Personify SoundExchange’s Core Values (Driving Excellence, Integrity In All That We Do, Championing Creators, Respect Why We’re Here, Teamwork That Empowers)
• Demonstrate inclusivity, advocacy, and appreciation for diversity in personal, academic, or professional experiences
• Thrive in a fast‐paced environment
• Resourceful, have great attention to detail, highly organized
• Ability to collaborate well with others and tackle challenges enthusiastically
• Sharp written and verbal communication skills
• Be 18 years of age or older on or before the first day of the internship program
• Undergraduates preferred (heading into your junior or senior year is also preferred); graduate students may still apply
• Be enrolled in a degree‐seeking program in an accredited college or university (with a minimum 3.0 GPA), or be a student at a relevant professional boot camp or advanced educational program