Fellowships and Internships
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law.
If you are a talented professional who wants to use your skills and hard work to further the cause of civil rights and civil justice, please consider applying for a career at the Lawyers’ Committee.
The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. Positions will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed as received. Salary and benefits are competitive for a nonprofit legal organization.
Fellowship Opportunities
Our fellows become involved with substantive legal activities, which involve co-counseled litigation with prominent law firms, including client contact, case investigation, discovery, negotiations, amicus briefs, appeals, and trial practice. Non-litigation activities include legal services to community development groups, legislative and public policy advocacy, and public education on important civil rights matters. Please read below for deadlines and additional information and contact fellowship@lawyerscommittee.org with any questions.
The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
Applicants are welcome to apply concurrently for one or more fellowship opportunities at the Lawyers’ Committee.
First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship
Overview:
The First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship Program, or FirstGEN, is a paid summer program for undergraduate students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college and who intend to pursue careers in social justice. Our mission is to identify and support first generation college students as they emerge into tomorrow’s leaders. Fellows receive hands-on experience advocating for civil rights, participate in training and professional development seminars, and join a growing community of emerging leaders in the FirstGEN Alumni Network.
For more information, visit www.firstgenfellows.org
Volunteer Internship Program
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights hosts Legal/Graduate Volunteer Interns and Undergraduate/Recent Graduate Volunteer Interns. The Lawyers’ Committee is unable to pay any portion of the applicant’s salary or provide assistance with securing housing during the internship period. However, we are happy to work with students so that they may receive academic credit or outside funding for their work. Students who complete this internship will gain invaluable experience in the field of civil rights and exposure to the exciting work of a non-profit legal organization.
Summer interns are expected to work 30 hours a week for 10 weeks during the summer. Starting in the summer of 2022, summer interns (both legal and undergraduate/recent graduate) will have the opportunity to receive a stipend to support their participation in the program.
Fall and spring interns with a full course load must work a minimum of 10 to 15 hours a week during the fall and spring semesters, and 20 hours without a full course load. Students should be able to commute to the Committee’s downtown office for at least two days a week during the academic year. Full-time interns are also accepted. Fall and spring interns typically attend colleges and universities in or around the metropolitan District of Columbia region, although the Lawyers’ Committee is also happy to host students participating in externship or academic exchange programs.
The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities. Positions will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed as received.
Note: We are unable to accept phone calls due to a high number of application submissions. Please email your questions about our internship program or to check on the status of your application to internship@lawyerscommittee.org. We will notify applicants whom we choose to interview by e-mail.
Legal/Graduate Volunteer Internship Program Undergraduate/Recent Graduate Volunteer Internship Program
Internship Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants should possess:
- Strong research and writing abilities, and
- A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and/or social justice
Fall and spring interns with a full course load must work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Full-time (or close to full-time) interns are also accepted. Students should be able to commute to the Committee’s downtown office for at least two days a week during the academic year.
Job Description
Law student interns are assigned to work primarily with one of the following projects or initiatives:
- Criminal Justice
- Educational Opportunities
- Economic Justice
- Fair Housing and Community Development
- Hate Prevention
- Public Policy
- Voting Rights
Graduate student interns are typically assigned to work with the Public Policy Project.
Although assignments for each intern vary by project, students are generally asked to draft legal documents, write legal research memoranda, and conduct factual investigations. Legal interns work under the close supervision of experienced civil rights attorneys.
How to Apply
Interested students may submit an application at the following web address: https://lawyerscommitteeforcivilrightsunderlaw.applytojob.com/apply/gYEb5JxYDP/2023-Fall-Internship-Law-Student.
For questions about our internship program, please email internship@lawyerscommittee.org.
Available Internship Opportunities
Communications Internship
Law Student/Graduate Student Internship Application
Spring 2022 Undergraduate Internship Program
Undergraduate/Recent Graduate Volunteer Internship Program
The Lawyers’ Committee hosts undergraduate students and recent college graduates as interns in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Students who complete an internship with the Lawyers’ Committee will gain invaluable experience in the field of civil rights and exposure to the exciting work of a non-profit legal organization.
Internship Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants should possess:
- Strong research and writing abilities, and
- A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and/or social justice
Summer interns are expected to work full time for at least 10 weeks, typically starting in June.
Fall and spring interns with a full course load are expected to work a minimum of 10-15 hours/week for at least 10 weeks. Full-time (or close to full-time) interns are also accepted. Fall interns typically start in September and spring interns typically start in January. We are unable to pay fall or summer interns. However, we are happy to work with students so that they may receive academic credit or outside funding for their work.
All materials should be submitted The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law accepts applications for undergrad/recent grad interns on a rolling basis. Internship placements are typically finalized at least a month before the start of each term, after our team reviews the application materials and conducts interviews.
Program Description
Student interns are assigned to work primarily with one of the following projects or initiatives:
- Communications
- Criminal Justice Project & Byrd Center to Stop Hate</li>
- Digital Justice Initiative
- Educational Opportunities Project
- Economic Justice Project
- Fair Housing & Community Development Project
- General Legal
- Public Policy
- Voting Rights
Although assignments for each intern vary by project, students are generally asked to conduct policy and legal research, support client outreach and factual investigation, and provide administrative support. Interns work closely with experienced civil rights attorneys.
How to Apply
Interested students may submit an application at the following web address: https://lawyerscommitteeforcivilrightsunderlaw.applytojob.com/apply/gYEb5JxYDP/2023-Fall-Internship-Law-Student
In your application, please keep in mind that we evaluate applicants and application materials on the following categories:
- Materials: completeness, care, and specificity;
- Experience: relevant knowledge and skills;
- Thoughtfulness and connection to LC: connects interests, experiences, goals, etc to LC’s work;
- Commitment to civil rights, social justice, & racial justice;
- Success and growth in the internship: how an applicant can succeed, support LC’s work, and grow in the internship.
For questions about our internship program, please send email internship@lawyerscommittee.org. We do not accept application materials that are sent to this email. Please submit all application materials in one combined PDF through the link above. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
The Lawyers’ Committee is an equal opportunity employer with a standing policy of nondiscrimination. Diversity is an essential component of the Lawyers’ Committee, and we encourage women and minorities to apply. We are committed to finding talent regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or other protected status.