Spring 2026 Legal Internship - Washington, DC Regional Office
Earthjustice’s Washington, DC Regional Office is accepting applications for one part- or full-time legal intern for spring 2026. We are seeking law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. This is a paid position, and the successful candidate may work a hybrid or in-person schedule at our DC office, remotely within the U.S. or on a hybrid schedule from one of Earthjustice’s other offices.
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups to engage on the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C.
Earthjustice's Washington, DC Regional Office serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states, and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The DC office's docket currently includes litigation and advocacy to protect public health and the environment from air pollution; secure effective regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protect streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction; advance energy efficiency; and promote a transition to zero-emission transportation systems to protect local communities’ health and well-being and combat climate change.
Earthjustice's Washington, DC Regional Office serves both as a regional office for issues arising in the mid-Atlantic states, and as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues. The DC office's docket currently includes litigation and advocacy to protect public health and the environment from air pollution; secure effective regulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; protect streams, wetlands, and other waters from pollution and outright destruction; advance energy efficiency; and promote a transition to zero-emission transportation systems to protect local communities’ health and well-being and combat climate change.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the legal intern will work on case development and litigation-related projects. Interns might draft pleadings and briefs, conduct legal and factual research and draft memoranda, analyze caselaw, regulatory, and policy questions, develop strategy and legal theories, gather evidence, and attend client meetings and court proceedings.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a JD or LLM program at a U.S. law school during spring 2026.
- Excellent writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively.
- Ability to work collegially with others and independently.
- Knowledge of environmental and administrative law is a plus.
- Commitment of at least 20 hours per week; candidates can commit up to 37.5 hours per week.
Compensation:
Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The spring ’26 hourly rate for law students is $35.20.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials by 5:00pm PT on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 2 with offers extended no later than October 31.
- Resume.
- Cover letter - In one page, (1) Address why you want to work with the Washington, DC Regional Office and any information about yourself that is not apparent or fully explained in your resume; (2) Note the number of hours, or a reasonable estimate, you will be able to work each week and whether you can work on Eastern Time; and (3) Indicate any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your submission or ability to accept an offer.
- Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): (1) Recent writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others; and (2) List of courses taken in law school.
- Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references, including one law professor or legal employer.
Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.
Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.