The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

Short description:

LDF is seeking policy interns for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 to support the policy team across all four LDF core issues: criminal justice, economic justice, education equity, and political participation. Candidates must be law school or graduate students.

To be considered for a Spring 2026 policy internship, please apply by: December 30, 2025.

To be considered for a Summer 2026 policy internship, please apply by April 10, 2026.

To be considered for a Fall 2026 Policy internship, please apply by June 10, 2026.

To apply, please submit a short cover letter, resume, a writing sample (no more than 10 pages), and a list of 3 references. LDF’s Policy Department hosts no more than 5 interns per semester. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities:

Interns contribute to substantive work at LDF to support our local, state, and federal policy goals across all four core areas, such as:

  • Conduct legal, legislative, policy, and other forms of research
  • Track legislative hearings and conduct analysis
  • Craft memos, letters, testimony and administrative comments
  • Attend and assist with meeting with coalition partners and with lawmaking bodies

Qualifications:

The Policy team offers two types of internships for law school or graduate students:

  • Full-time summer internships for 10+ weeks
  • Part-time Spring and Fall term internships for 15+ hours/week

Ideal candidates possess the following:

  • Commitment to racial justice
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Clear and proactive communication
  • Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines

Requirements:

  • Students must receive either scholarships or institutional funding, course credit, or fulfill pro-bono hours requirements to intern with the policy department.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. 

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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.  

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