Defending Defenders Law Intern

Summary

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) is an international nonprofit NGO supporting public interest lawyers and scientists who protect communities and ecosystems through law. The Defending Defenders Law Intern will conduct legal research, draft legal materials, analyze laws and court decisions, and support global legal efforts defending environmental advocates and communities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and draft memos on a wide range of law, legal doctrines and mechanisms focused on protecting environmental defenders and protecting the rights of communities to engage. The Defenders team works across the fields of human rights, civil, criminal and corporate accountability law at the international and domestic level across jurisdictions
• Analyze and summarize innovative laws, legal trends, and court decisions
• Assist with drafting briefs, regulatory analyses, or resource updates
• Participate as a collaborative member of a legal team that supports interns through meaningful mentorship; and
• Observe strategic and information gathering meetings with local lawyer partners
• Contribute directly to global legal efforts defending environmental defenders

Skills

• Open to current second-year (2L) students enrolled in a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program or in their second year of an equivalent graduate-level legal education, and current students enrolled in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program
• International applicants with equivalent legal education are welcome to apply and should describe how their academic or professional background prepares them to succeed in this role
• The ELAW internship with the Defenders team involves communication in English or Spanish
• Spanish or French as a first language or proficiency is a welcome asset
• Deeply committed to public interest law, environmental justice, and human rights
• Curious, meticulous researchers who write clearly and think critically
• Collaborative and communicative, but self-directed in managing time and projects
• Adaptable and open-minded, eager to learn across legal systems and cultures
• Multilingual or bring lived experience from frontline or underrepresented communities (preferred but not required)

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Open to current second-year (2L) students enrolled in a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program or in their second year of an equivalent graduate-level legal education, and current students enrolled in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program
• International applicants with equivalent legal education are welcome to apply and should describe how their academic or professional background prepares them to succeed in this role
• The ELAW internship with the Defenders team involves communication in English or Spanish

Nice to Haves

• Spanish or French as a first language or proficiency is a welcome asset
• Deeply committed to public interest law, environmental justice, and human rights
• Curious, meticulous researchers who write clearly and think critically
• Collaborative and communicative, but self-directed in managing time and projects
• Adaptable and open-minded, eager to learn across legal systems and cultures
• Multilingual or bring lived experience from frontline or underrepresented communities (preferred but not required)

Benefits

• Invaluable experience, mentorship, and global exposure.
• Interns receive clear supervision, collaborative feedback, and intentional support.
• Remote flexibility with real connection: Whether remote or in Eugene, interns are included in meetings, team communications, and one-on-one check-ins.
• Fully remote, 10-week full-time internships.