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Role Description

Over the course of four decades, our vision has remained steadfast—to protect and expand pathways to justice and the democratic process—while our programs and tactics have been nimble and resilient, evolving with changing times and the needs of our members and the progressive community. We train and educate nonprofit organizations on advocacy tools to maximize their impact, while harnessing their collective power to transform our state and federal courts.

All AFJ summer internships are part of a comprehensive intern program designed to make the experience meaningful, engaging, and professionally enriching. In addition to the day-to-day work with your team, you’ll be supported by an intern program coordinator who ensures that interns get the most out of their time with us. The program includes:

• Weekly activities
• Opportunities for intern bonding
• Professional development sessions to help you grow your skills and build connections

Our intern Lunch & Learn series showcases the range of expertise we have across AFJ staff, providing insights on a wide variety of career paths, advocacy skills, and nonprofit work. Together, these elements create a well-rounded internship that combines hands-on experience with mentorship and community—making AFJ a great place to spend your summer.

AFJ's 2026 Summer interns will work in one of three teams within the AFJ Justice Team:

• Federal Courts team
• Building the Bench initiative
• State Court Justice Project

On the Federal Courts team, AFJ vets nominees to the federal judiciary. AFJ educates a variety of stakeholders to ensure that only fair, qualified individuals committed to the law and social justice are confirmed. AFJ also works to identify and advocate for the strongest potential nominees to the federal judiciary who reflect the country's demographic and experiential diversity. Associates will:

• Provide legal research on judicial nominees
• Monitor and report on the Supreme Court (term reviews, current event monitoring, etc.)
• Participate and contribute to coalition partners and strategy initiatives
• Write and publish their own blog posts
• Attend Senate Judiciary Committee hearings (if they occur)
• Connect with a variety of leaders across the nonprofit sector

AFJ’s Building the Bench initiative identifies, recruits, and advocates for a highly qualified and demographically and experientially diverse pool of candidates for federal and state judgeships. Associates will:

• Contribute legal research, candidate research, and strategic input
• Support the Building the Bench team’s work in identifying and supporting movement-aligned candidates for the bench
• Research potential judicial vacancies and the selection process for each vacancy
• Expand AFJ’s national reach

With 95% of all cases in the United States filed in state courts, those courts serve an essential role in guarding democracy and protecting civil and human rights. AFJ’s State Court Justice Project:

• Educates the public about important state supreme court elections and vacancies nationwide
• Monitors noteworthy state supreme court cases
• Details judicial selection methods for state supreme courts

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to research complex topics and summarize findings
• Proficiency with online search tools (Google, Westlaw, etc.)
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, etc.)
• Experience using online media in a professional setting desirable
• Campus or community organizing experience or experience working on social justice issues a plus
• Familiarity with state-based progressive organizations is a plus, but not required
• Familiarity with EveryAction constituent management system is a plus, but not required
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil rights, and public interest issues is essential

Requirements

• This is a fully remote position
• Interns in the metro-DC area may arrange periodic work from the organizational offices

Benefits

• AFJ offers a limited number of full-time (40 hours per week) paid summer intern positions with a commitment to pay $8,000 for the duration of the internship program
• This is a 10-week program that starts June 1st, 2026, and runs through August with flexible start and end dates if needed
• AFJ also welcomes the opportunity to partner with law schools and law students who are receiving partial or full funding from their home institution or a third party
• If third-party funding is less than AFJ has committed to pay summer associates, AFJ will make up the salary difference
• Students who receive academic credit for their summer associate position are not eligible for payment from AFJ

Work Environment

• Geographic Location: Contiguous U.S.
• Work Arrangement: Remote
• Typical setting: Office
• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so
• On occasion, travel by car, train, and/or airplane may be required
• Schedule: Summer internship, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Some occasional evening and weekend hours may be required

DEIA and Equal Employment

At Alliance for Justice, we celebrate the richness that our differences bring. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are not just principles, but the foundation of our strength. Every individual brings a distinct and invaluable perspective, and we thrive when all voices are encouraged to speak openly, authentically, and with confidence.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race; color; creed; sex; age (18 and over); sexual orientation; national origin; religion; political affiliation; marital or partnership status; familial status; gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions; gender identity; gender expression; military or veteran status; medical condition or history, including cancer and AIDS/HIV; genetic information including predisposition or carrier status and that of family members; disability (mental or physical); physical characteristics or personal appearance, including height, weight, and hair (including hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin); ethnicity; ancestry; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or on any basis prohibited by federal or state statute.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants, “2026 Summer Intern - Justice” in your cover letter and submit your resume on our website at https://www.afj.org/about/careers .

At the top of your cover letter, please specify the team or teams for which you are interested in being considered (i.e., Federal Courts Team + State Courts Team; all teams, etc.).

(NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email [email protected] .