[Hiring] U.S. Summer Legal Internship @EarthRights International

Role Description

EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization, is seeking summer interns for our Washington, D.C., office. ERI's U.S. Summer Legal Interns are law students able to work full-time for at least 10-12 weeks during the summer. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and program support for ERI activities all over the world.

• Interns may be J.D. or LL.M. students, but must have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship.
• Legal interns participate in various projects associated with cases, including:
  • Legal research and writing
  • Assistance in all phases of litigation
  • Development of new cases
  • Monitoring and exploring developments in human rights and environmental law
  • Researching and utilizing mechanisms of corporate accountability
  • Coordinating with and assisting other groups bringing domestic or international cases
• Interns are fully integrated into ERI’s U.S. legal team and may work with any of ERI’s attorneys and other staff in advocacy and communications programs.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve vulnerable communities and/or protect human rights and the environment
• Independent and creative thinking skills
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Ability to handle sensitive client relationships and protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications
• Proficiency in languages other than English; Spanish fluency is highly desired
• A background in international human rights law, environmental law, corporate accountability, and/or indigenous peoples’ rights
• Experience in regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or other fields related to issues of human rights, environmental protection and indigenous peoples
• Knowledge and experience with regional and international legal mechanisms for the protection of human rights and the environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency skills, and ability to work in teams
• Experience or interest in working with people from diverse cultures
• A positive attitude

Requirements

• Application Deadline: Rolling until February 15, 2027
• Students interested in the position should submit:
  • A cover letter
  • Resume
  • A short (10 pages or less) legal writing sample
  • Contact information for two references, at least one of whom should be familiar with the applicant’s legal abilities
• Due to the volume of applications, ERI is unable to interview every applicant. We typically conduct phone interviews and/or virtual interviews.

Benefits

• EarthRights requires all applicants to pursue funding through their law school where available.
• Where law school funding falls below the D.C. minimum wage, EarthRights will supplement the law school funding to reach D.C. minimum wage.
• In the event that funding cannot be secured, EarthRights will pay interns at the D.C. minimum wage.

Company Description

Over the past 30 years, ERI has built a reputation as one of the leading legal organizations representing communities and individuals from around the world whose rights, livelihoods and homelands are harmed by corporations, financial institutions and governments.

• Our lawyers have worked closely with clients, co-counsel, partner NGOs, campaigners, and others to bring groundbreaking lawsuits and pursue legal advocacy.
• Our cases have set legal precedents, brought millions of dollars of compensation to our clients, and changed the behavior of corporations and other institutions.
• One of our cases, Jam v. International Finance Corporation, was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court and set important precedent for future accountability of international financial institutions.
• Another case, Doe v. Chiquita Brands International, resulted in the first U.S. jury finding of liability for human rights abuses abroad.