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The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

The Brennan Center's Liberty & National Security (LNS) Program fights to preserve constitutional values in the post-9/11 world. Our work centers on innovative policy recommendations and public advocacy to ensure that our nation’s commitment to national security comports with the rule of law and our fundamental freedoms. We work to end or reform policies at the intersection of national security, immigration, and law enforcement, including those relating to high-tech surveillance, that intrude on privacy and First Amendment rights – particularly those of Muslim Americans and communities of color. Our work reflects a strong focus on ensuring democratic accountability, including through pushing back on excessive secrecy and expansive assertions of executive power.

Note: This internship is in-person at our New York office.

We seek law students to work alongside staff in our New York office on the Brennan Center’s policy advocacy and research initiatives. Interns may assist with a variety of activities, including conducting legal research and writing for policy reports and other advocacy documents; drafting communications to legislators; assisting with writing comments to federal agencies; attending coalition meetings; drafting posts for the Brennan Center blog; and more.

The Brennan Center’s interns are integral to all aspects of our work, including programmatic and strategic planning. We strive to offer a fun and intellectually challenging legal intern experience that supports and supplements the vital advocacy offered by the Brennan Center. The internship lasts for the summer.

Qualifications: Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills; initiative, imagination, and versatility; and a passion for our issues.

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

This internship is only open to law students in Summer 2026.

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm EST)

Pay: Stipends are available for students who are unable to secure funding from their law school or elsewhere. Stipend amounts vary based on class year and how much funding, if any, an applicant has secured from other sources. If offered a position, students must request and complete an application for the stipend.

Duration: June – August 2026 (10 weeks)

Application Deadline: January 2, 2026

Note: The Brennan Center will follow the rules of your school regarding internships. Therefore, if a school doesn’t allow you to do a paid internship for some reason (i.e., receiving credit, etc.), then your internship will not be paid. In addition, if you are participating in a formal school internship program that allows you to work more than our stated hours, we will make a determination based on our needs and further assessment of your school’s program.

The following materials are required to apply for our internship:

+ a cover letter explaining why you are interested in Liberty & National Security (NY) policy issues;

+ a current law school transcript;

+ a legal writing sample;

+ a current resume; and

+ contact information for three references.

Please Note: there may be an exercise or further materials requested if selected for an interview

To Apply:

Please visit >>LINK HERE<< (https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/W2XaP699JM/Summer-2026-Liberty-And-National-Security-Legal-Internship) and upload all of the required materials (see above). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested students to apply early, as the positions will be filled once qualified candidates are found. No phone calls, please.

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “LNS NY Legal Summer Internship” in the subject line, after registering in the online system. Applying through our website is strongly preferred.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.

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