Spring 2027 Legal Intern, Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives

Location: Hybrid-Puerto Rico Department: ASNI Internal Operations

The ACLU of Puerto Rico seeks a bilingual Legal & Policy Intern for their Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI) in our San Juan, Puerto Rico office. This internship is part-time and hybrid.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students. Applicant must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team

The ASNI department builds state capacity and strengthens the connections between the ACLU and its network of 54 state affiliates and their 1,500 staff members across the country. The affiliates’ work constitutes an unparalleled bulwark defending and advancing our civil liberties and civil rights. ASNI staff lead efforts to build program, build organizations, and drive resources to key battles across the country, positioning the nationwide organization for future challenges.

The ACLU of Puerto Rico is a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, dedicated to protecting the fundamental liberties and basic civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and our civil rights laws.

What You’ll Do

The intern will work collaboratively with the Legal and Public Policy Departments. They will be responsible for analyzing the constitutionality of pending legislation, creating and updating policy issue briefs and policy related legal memos, assisting in legislative reports, and researching as needed. Legal policy interns with the ACLU of Puerto Rico have a unique opportunity to work on innovative civil liberties and civil rights policy. This includes efforts, among others, related to: Criminal Justice, First Amendment, LGBTQ+ Rights, Voting Rights, Privacy Rights, Reproductive Freedom and Women’s Rights.

Your Day to Day

Conduct legal research, draft memoranda, case summaries and briefs for legislative presentations and sessions

Attend legislative proceedings, assist the legal department in identifying and researching potential cases

Verification of legal citation

Support the preparation of legal filings, appeals, and other documents under attorney supervision

Communications and Public Education

Assist in developing, guides, presentations, bilingual workshops and educational materials regarding legislative proposals or court cases

Collaborate with the Communications Department on website articles, social media content, press materials, and public awareness initiatives

What You’ll Bring

Currently enrolled in the third or fourth year of a Juris Doctor program or a recent graduate of an accredited law school

Strong interest in civil rights, constitutional law, and legislative processes

Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills

Professional proficiency in both Spanish and English, written and spoken, is required

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to manage assignments independently and meet deadlines

Commitment to the mission and values of the ACLU of Puerto Rico

Interest in working collaboratively across legal, policy and communications teams

Future ACLU-ers Will

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU

Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives

Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics

Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is hybrid from our San Juan, Puerto Rico office.

Time Commitment: Part-time (10hrs/week)

Internship Duration: Part-time internships span 12 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: Jan. 11th or Jan. 25th, 2027

Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.

Below are the stipend rates

$24/hr for graduate and law students or equivalent experience

This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

Why the ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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