The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.
LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.
LDF’s Office of the President and Director-Counsel seeks a Summer Research Intern to help support Janai Nelson, LDF’s President and Director-Counsel, in her leadership of LDF’s advocacy efforts in the above four core practice areas.
This position reports to the Chief of Staff and works closely with the Office of the President and Director-Counsel. The intern will be paid $25/hour and will be in-person in their assigned office two days a week. The paid internship will run for 10-weeks from June 3, 2024 to August 9, 2024.
As of March 7, 2022, LDF transitioned to a hybrid work environment. Any candidate selected for this position should be prepared to work in the office location assigned at least two days per week.
Responsibilities:
Research and analysis of studies and academic materials in various fields related to civil rights and the law; review of archival materials; synthesizing news account of key events related to LDF’s mission and drafting memos, talking points, and other materials to assist the President and Director-Counsel analyze issues and prepare for speeches and other public appearances. The intern will also be exposed to a variety of activities within the broader national civil rights coalition.
Qualifications:
- A 1L law student with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and civil rights;
- Outstanding research, writing, and oral communication skills;
- High proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint presentations;
- Ability to work independently and within a team;
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment;
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills and expertise; and
- Excellent organizational skills.
This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
Please note that LDF requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accordingly, successful candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment, unless they qualify for a reasonable accommodation for bona fide medical or religious reasons.
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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.
