The Election Law Clinic is hiring summer interns for 2024. Current J.D. candidates with an interest in election law and voting rights are invited to join our team! Summer legal interns work on all aspects of the Clinic’s caseload.  Interns will support the Clinic’s ongoing docket including both litigation and advocacy projects. Interns are supervised and mentored by the Clinic instructors, and are given feedback and growth opportunities. 

Responsibilities 

Election Law Clinic interns will conduct legal work throughout the internship depending on the needs of the current docket. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, conducting legal research and analysis; drafting court filings (e.g., pleadings, motions, briefs); engaging in discovery; meeting with clients and community stakeholders; and preparing materials for use in advocacy projects. 

About the Election Law Clinic

The mission of the Election Law Clinic at Harvard Law School is to train the next generation of election lawyers through litigation and advocacy that bring novel academic ideas to the practice of election law. It aims to build power for voters, not politicians, and recognizes that the struggle for voting rights is a struggle for racial justice. Clinic projects cover a range of topics including protecting against: voter suppression and intimidation, racial and partisan gerrymandering, minority vote dilution, campaign finance abuses, and an inaccurate and biased census.  

Funding and Logistics 

An eight week commitment is required. The Election Law Clinic is not able to provide funding at this time and encourages students to secure funding through their law school.

Qualifications 

• Currently enrolled in a U.S. law school. We encourage applications from both rising 2Ls and 3Ls 

• Strong interest in voting rights and election law 

• Commitment to civil rights and racial justice 

• Strong research, writing, and communication skills 

• Attention to detail, strong work ethic, excellent organizing and time-management skills 

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law 

Preferred qualifications 

• Familiarity or prior work experience with election law or voting rights issues 

Commitment to Diversity 

The work and well-being of the Election Law Clinic are strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, disability, and much more. We actively seek and welcome people of diverse backgrounds. 

Application 

To apply, please fill out and submit the form linked below. To complete the application, you will need to supply a resume or CV, cover letter, and transcript. The Clinic may request a writing sample and references later in the process, but they are not required as part of the initial application. We will only contact candidates who move to the next step.  Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. ELC staff will being reviewing applications on February 15, 2023. 

Questions 

If you have any questions, please contact elc@law.harvard.edu.