Job Description

The ACLU-DC seeks undergrad students for a paralegal internship in the spring of 2020 starting on approximately February 10 and running until approximately April 22. The paralegal intern will be expected to commit approximately 12 – 15 hours a week. This is a paid position for at $15/hour.

As paralegal intern, you will be a part of the legal department’s intake team, which processes, investigates, and responds to requests for legal help that the ACLU of D.C. receives. Part of your duties will include interviewing people who ask us for help, conducting internet-based research to obtain and verify facts, and attending strategy meetings to develop next steps for advocacy.

Depending on the state of our docket in spring 2020, paralegal interns are likely to have additional opportunities to become immersed in the work of the ACLU-DC’s Legal department, including attending listening sessions to learn what civil rights concerns impact those who live and work in D.C.; legal strategy sessions; and court proceedings, depositions, and client meetings. ACLU-DC staff believe strongly in mentorship and in thorough and timely feedback on all work product.

Qualifications

• You are currently in an undergrad program in any field of study with an interest in public service and civil rights and liberties.
• You have excellent work ethic, including dependability, diligence, the ability to take ownership over projects, and the commitment to see projects through to completion in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• You are receptive to feedback, enthusiastic about learning and self-improvement, and eager to incorporate feedback into future work.
• You have writing skills that allow you to effectively and concisely convey information to others while including relevant facts and analysis.
• You have a keen attention to detail and knowledge of grammar such that you can pick out errors and mistakes when asked to proofread another’s work.
• You have the interpersonal skills necessary to connect with, listen to, learn from, and ask questions of others. Key to these skills is actively listening to others and not interrupting.

Additional Information

The deadline for applying is 11:59PM EASTERN TIME ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2019. Your application should include the following attachments:

1. A copy of your resume that lists relevant experience.

2. A statement of interest of no more than 600 words that addresses the following three topics:

   1. What civil rights/liberties issue do you feel is most pressing right now and why?
   2. How do your skills and experiences make you a good fit for this position?
   3. Describe a specific example of when you took ownership (or responsibility) of a project or assignment. What did it mean to you to take ownership? What was the end result?

3. A list of three references, including a sentence about each one identifying what information the person can provide. We are interested in speaking with community members, coworkers, supervisors, professors, or others who can speak to your relevant skills and experience.

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY AND NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REGARDING ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ACCOMMODATION REQUEST(S) IN YOUR APPLICATION EMAIL.

The ACLU-DC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-DC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by the D.C. Human Rights Act or federal employment law.