Spring 2027 Legal Internship – Washington, DC Regional Office

Earthjustice; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C. Regional Office is seeking a part-time legal intern for spring 2027. This paid internship welcomes law students who are passionate about justice and the environment.

The successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our DC office. Under supervision of a licensed attorney, you will assist with case development, research, and litigation-related tasks, gaining exposure to public interest law and environmental policy.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Interest in public interest law and social justice.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision of a licensed attorney, work on case development and litigation projects.
• Draft pleadings and briefs, conduct legal and factual research, and draft memos.
• Analyze caselaw, regulatory, and policy questions; develop strategy and theories.
• Gather evidence and attend client meetings and court proceedings.

Skills

Excellent writing

Research

Analytical thinking

Strong work ethic

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Law school – 2L or 3L in Spring 2027

Tools

Westlaw

Job description

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C. Regional Office is accepting applications for one part-time legal intern for spring 2027. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. This is a paid position, and the successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from our Washington, D.C. office.

Earthjustice's Washington, D.C. Regional Office serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states, and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The D.C. office's docket currently includes litigation and advocacy to protect public health and the environment from air pollution; secure effective regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protect streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction; advance energy efficiency; and promote a transition to zero-emission transportation systems to protect local communities’ health and well-being and combat climate change.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the legal intern will work on case development and litigation-related projects. Interns might draft pleadings and briefs, conduct legal and factual research and draft memoranda, analyze caselaw, regulatory, and policy questions, develop strategy and legal theories, gather evidence, and attend client meetings and court proceedings.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
• Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
• Interest in public interest law and social justice.
• Must commit to 20 hours/week for 11 weeks.

Compensation

Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The spring ’27 hourly rate for law students is $36.86.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.