Fall 2026 Legal Intern, Capital Punishment Project

The ACLU seeks aLegal Intern in the Capital Punishment Project (Justice Division)of the ACLUs National office inDurham N.C. or New York City. This position is hybrid and course credit only.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Capital Punishment Project part of the ACLUs Center for Justice challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation including the direct representation of capital defendants challenges to systemic problems in the administration of capital punishment and amicus briefing.

The intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working with Capital Punishment Project. The intern will be responsible for legal and policy research and legal writing for the Capital Punishment Project.

• Conducting legal and policy research
• Drafting memoranda affidavits and briefs
• Researching prospects for new litigation including both factual and legal claims
• Researching and drafting materials for public education

• Complete 1 year of law school before the internship commences
• A demonstrated/ strong interest in the abolition of the death penalty and a commitment to civil rights
• Excellent research writing and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Strong computer skills particularly web-based researchand proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word Excel)
• Initiative to see projects through to completion

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship can be remote or hybrid and based in our New York City or Durham N.C.office.
• Time Commitment: This internship is part-time (1015 or 20 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Fall internships for part-time span 12 consecutive weeks with a start date of September 8 or September 21.
• Stipend: This internship is course credit only. This internship must be tied to the interns formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

For over 100 years the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether its ending mass incarceration achieving full equality for the LGBTQ community establishing new privacy protections for our digital age or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Accessibility equity diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty equality and justice for all. For us diversity equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth humility and grace transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether were in the courts or in the office we believe We the People means all of us.

With this commitment in mind we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status and record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online please email. If you are selected for an interview you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.

In order to be considered for this position all candidates must formally submit an application.The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.