Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: D.C. Minimum Wage - $17.95 / hour
Position: U.S. Summer Legal Internship
Location: This role is based in Washington, D.C., with remote work available from DC, MD, VA, NY, WA, and CT.
Reports to: U.S. Staff Attorneys
Starts: Summer 2026
Pay: EarthRights requires all applicants to pursue funding through their law school where available. Where law school funding falls below the D.C. minimum wage, EarthRights will supplement the law school funding to reach D.C. minimum wage. In the event that funding cannot be secured, EarthRights will pay interns at the D.C. minimum wage.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, is seeking summer interns for our Washington, D.C., office.
ERI's U.S. Summer Legal Interns are law students able to work full-time for at least 10-12 weeks during the summer. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and program support for ERI activities all over the world. Law students may be J.D. or LL.M. students, but must have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship.
Over the past 30 years, ERI has built a reputation as one of the leading legal organizations representing communities and individuals from around the world whose rights, livelihoods and homelands are harmed by corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our lawyers have worked closely with our clients, co-counsel, partner NGOs, campaigners and others to bring groundbreaking lawsuits and pursue legal advocacy to provide remedies and ensure legal accountability. Our cases have set legal precedents, brought millions of dollars of compensation to our clients, and changed the behavior of corporations and other institutions; one of our cases involving environmental harms to communities in India, Jam v. International Finance Corporation, was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court and set important precedent for future accountability of international financial institutions. Another, Doe v. Chiquita Brands International, resulted in the first U.S. jury finding of liability for human rights abuses abroad.
Legal interns participate in various projects associated with these and many other cases, including legal research and writing and assistance in all phases of litigation, as well as other legal work including development of new cases, monitoring and exploring developments in human rights and environmental law, researching and utilizing other mechanisms of corporate accountability, and helping to coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic or international cases.Interns are fully integrated into ERIs U.S. legal team and may work with any of ERIs attorneys and other staff in advocacy and communications programs.
Requirements:
- A demonstrated commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve vulnerable communities and/or protect human rights and the environment
- Independent and creative thinking skills
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Ability to handle sensitive client relationships and protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications
Additional desired qualifications include:
- Proficiency in languages other than English; Spanish fluency is highly desired
- A background in international human rights law, environmental law, corporate accountability, and/or indigenous peoples rights
- Experience in regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or other fields related to issues of human rights, environmental protection and indigenous peoples
- Knowledge and experience with regional and international legal mechanisms for the protection of human rights and the environment
- Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency skills, and ability to work in teams
- Experience or interest in working with people from diverse cultures
- A positive attitude
Application Procedures:
The deadline for applications for Summer 2026 is February 15, 2026. Applications may be considered on a rolling basis but students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.
Students interested in the position of U.S. Summer Legal Intern should submit a cover letter, resume, a short (10 pages or less) legal writing sample, and contact information for two references, at least one of whom should be familiar with the applicants legal abilities.
Due to the volume of applications, ERI is unable to interview every applicant. We typically conduct phone interviews and/or virtual interviews.
This employer participates in E-Verify. Please visit the following link for more information: https://implan.com/wp-content/uploads/E-Verify-Participation-Poster.pdf
EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.
For more information on the work of EarthRights International visit www.earthrights.org