The ACLU of Vermont seeks current law students to apply for a Summer 2026 Legal Internship to contribute to the ACLU of Vermont’s work of advancing and defending our civil rights and civil liberties.

The ACLU of Vermont is committed to developing the next generation of civil rights leaders; recognizing that talent comes from a variety of backgrounds, we have created this position to develop the talent of that next generation.

Work Model: Our office operates on a hybrid model, with the expectation that the Legal Team works in office a minimum of 1-2 days each week. If you are interested in this internship but require an accommodation to the default hybrid schedule, please let us know! Regardless of the hybrid schedule, interns seeking ACLU of Vermont funding must reside in the state of Vermont during their internship.

About ACLU of Vermont

We are the Vermont affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. We fight for equality, justice, and freedom for all Vermonters – in the statehouse, in the courthouse, and through public education and engagement. We are committed to co-creating and fostering a strong internal culture of belonging, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable policies and practices. We are a passionate, highly motivated group of lawyers, public policy experts, lobbyists, communications professionals, community organizers, and fundraisers, and we are looking for exceptional talent to join our team. Our attorneys are currently working on a variety of long-standing and emerging priority issue areas, including housing and economic justice; LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights; immigrants’ rights; free speech and government transparency; and voting access—but our docket remains responsive to the changing needs of Vermonters. To learn more about the ACLU of Vermont, please explore this website.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the ACLU of Vermont’s attorneys, legal interns work on a variety of legal and advocacy projects commensurate with their experience and education. Interns with the ACLU of Vermont are given the opportunity to work on important civil liberties and civil rights issues addressing a broad range of constitutional protections. Legal work may include researching and drafting memoranda, meeting with and interviewing potential clients, responding to requests for assistance, and drafting complaints and briefs. Interns may also work in an advocacy capacity, assessing the constitutionality and desirability of pending legislation or preparing testimony for congressional committees.

Qualifications

• Current law student.
• Demonstrated interest and/or background in constitutional and civil rights law.
• Demonstrated commitment to the cause of social justice, civil liberties, and civil rights; committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs.
• Excellent writing, legal and policy research, and analytical skills.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, both in the workplace and in collaboration with community partners and constituents. Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance. Demonstrated knowledge of – or commitment to building or deepening understanding of – racial equity.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The ACLU of Vermont is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive office culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive.

The ACLU of Vermont strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or prior involvement in the criminal legal system. The ACLU of Vermont undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.

Application Procedure

To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, and short writing sample to [email protected]. Include in the subject line of the email: your last name and “Legal Intern.”

The letter of interest should describe your qualifications, including your cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities. Please also identify the ACLU issue areas that are of most interest to you.

Our application deadline is January 26, and we will begin reviewing applications by this date. We will begin scheduling interviews by February 16, and we intend to extend our offer(s) by March 9.

Please let us know if there are any accessibility accommodations we can provide to you during the application or hiring process.

Stipend

We encourage all applicants to seek public interest fellowship funds through their law school. If a student is not able to secure such funding, the ACLU of Vermont is able to provide funding to make this opportunity more feasible for law students who would otherwise be required to seek paid employment over the summer. Students who do receive outside funds are eligible for partial funding to bring their total amount up to $8,000, the level of the ACLU’s funding amount for the Summer 2026 term. Internship selection is independent of and not contingent on access to external funds. To receive ACLU funding, students must be physically present in Vermont and work 40 hours a week for 10 or more weeks during the summer.