Legal Internship/Externship

Job Description

Legal Internship / Externship | Arizona Civil Liberties Union

The Tone:
This is a legal internship/externship at the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, located in Phoenix or Tucson. The ACLU of Arizona champions civil liberties and civil rights, fighting tirelessly through courts, legislatures, and community engagement to protect the rights of all individuals. This role offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience within the Legal Department, directly contributing to legal advocacy and litigation efforts. By providing essential legal research and writing, interns will play a part in defending fundamental freedoms and advancing social justice across Arizona.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Part-time or Full-time (flexible, willing to work with students seeking work study or course credits)
• Location: In-person, Phoenix, OR Tucson
• Team: Legal Department at large
• Mission: To support the litigation work of the Legal Department by providing critical legal research and writing, gaining broad exposure to legal advocacy and various civil liberties issues.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office Suite

What You’ll Actually Do
• Conduct Research: Conduct comprehensive legal and factual research and analysis to inform and support various advocacy and litigation initiatives.
• Draft Documents: Draft precise legal memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents, contributing directly to court filings and legal arguments.
• Support Litigation: Participate in discovery processes and trial practice as opportunities arise, gaining hands-on experience in active litigation.
• Engage with Teams: Attend department, staff, and cross-departmental campaign meetings, collaborating with colleagues on strategic goals and ongoing cases.
• Manage Projects: Undertake additional legal projects as assigned, contributing to the overall mission and operational needs of the Legal Department.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Law students who have successfully completed at least one year of law school. This is an entry-level legal support role.
• Experience: Demonstrated excellent research skills, including proficiency in internet and legal database research. Proven experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Skills: Superior communication skills, both verbal and written, for articulating complex legal concepts. Strong analytical abilities to dissect intricate legal issues. A high degree of initiative to drive projects to completion, coupled with exceptional attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
• Bonus: A deep commitment to the principles of civil liberties, civil rights, and social justice, aligning with the core mission of the ACLU of Arizona.