Intro to Position

Application Deadline: Application submissions for Office of the General Counsel (Copyright) Externship – Summer 2026 will close on Friday, April 3, at 11:59pm ET.

Program Duration: 

• Externs work from May 15th, 2026 - September 15, 2026 (dates may be flexible depending on school requirements).

Legal externs are vital contributors to the work of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”). The OGC is responsible for providing high-quality, cost-efficient, legal and related services to our NPR clients to achieve its mission of service to the public.

NPR is looking for a 2L or 3L who has a strong interest in copyright law, has taken a course in copyright law, and has comprehensive knowledge of basic copyright principles and fair use. The externship will provide an excellent opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the many legal issues involved in fair use analysis, rights management, and the audio licensing process.  

We are interviewing for Spring 2026.  

NPR offers legal externships throughout the year. Course credit may be obtained by arrangement with individual law schools. During the summer, law clerks are expected to work full-time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15-20 hours per week) or a full-time schedule. Fall and Spring externships must be for course credit. 

Responsibilities

The extern will gain practical experience working on issues related to copyright, fair use, and audio licensing, which will include assisting senior counsel with the following tasks: 

• Evaluating copyright issues in audio content (and occasional video content)
• Researching copyright issues
• Making fair use determinations
• Drafting and/or organizing permissions agreements and otherwise assessing legal aspects of proposed licensing agreements
• Assisting with Rights Management issues

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fair Use
• Copyright Law
• Licensing
• Intellectual Property

Education Requirements

• Education: Must be a current student in an accredited law degree program . 
• Copyright Course: Candidates must have taken a course in copyright law or equivalent and be well-versed in the principles of fair use. Prior experience with licensing issues is preferred but not required.

Work Location & Requirements

• NPR Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.

Job Type

• This is a for-credit or stipend-eligible externship.

Schedule

NPR generally offers legal externships throughout the year. During the summer, law clerks are expected to work full time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15 - 20 hours per week depending on school requirements) or full-time schedule.

Compensation

Course Credit: This externship is designed to be a learning experience for law students for which school credit must be obtained. Applicants must be able to comply with their school’s requirements for academic credit.

School-sponsored Stipends: During the summer, this externship may alternately be compensated through a program in which the student receives a stipend from their school for non-profit work.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

• resume
• cover letter
•  Please make sure you explain thoroughly your interest in and experience with copyright law.  
• All applicants must have taken copyright law before the externship begins, and your cover letter must say when and where you took the course.

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