Summer 2026 Legal Intern, Capital Punishment Project

About the Role

The ACLU seeks a Summer Legal Intern in the Capital Punishment Project, Justice Division of the ACLU’s National office in Durham, N.C. This position is hybrid.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The Capital Punishment Project, part of the ACLU’s Center for Justice, challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation, including the direct representation of capital defendants, challenges to systemic problems in the administration of capital punishment, and amicus briefing.

What You’ll Do:

The intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working with Capital Punishment Project. The intern will be responsible for legal and policy research, and legal writing for the Capital Punishment Project. 

Your Day to Day:

• Conducting legal and policy research

• Drafting memoranda, affidavits, and briefs

• Researching prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims

• Researching and drafting materials for public education

What You'll Bring:

• Complete 1 year of law school before the internship commences

• A demonstrated/ strong interest in the abolition of the death penalty and a commitment to civil rights

• Excellent research, writing and communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team

• Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)

• Initiative to see projects through to completion

Future ACLU'ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU

• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives

• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

Internship Logistics

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is hybrid and based in our Durham, N.C. office. Please do not apply if you would like a fully remote internship.

• Time Commitment: Summer internships require a full time (35 hour/week) commitment.

• Internship Duration: Summer internships span 10 consecutive weeks with a start date of May 26 or June 8.

• Stipend: A stipend is available for those students who are lawfully authorized to work. Legal interns receive a stipend amount $24/hour (stipends are taxed)

Priority Application Deadline: November 7, 2025 for 2L applicants; December 5, 2025 for 1L applicants

While there is a priority deadline, our project is committed to reviewing all applications on a rolling basis until the closing of posting.

Why the ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

  Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. 

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.