Environmental Law Intern

Summary

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) is an international nonprofit organization supporting public interest lawyers and scientists working to protect communities and ecosystems through law. The Environmental Law Intern will conduct legal research, analyze laws and court decisions, assist with legal drafting, and contribute to global environmental justice efforts under the mentorship of ELAW attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and draft memos on environmental, human rights, administrative law, legal doctrines and mechanisms, and procedural rights used to address substantive issues and rights, primarily focused on domestic legal research in multiple 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
• Contribute directly to global legal efforts advancing environmental justice

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
• This ELAW internship involves considerable communication in English
• 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
• This ELAW internship involves considerable communication in English

Nice to Haves

• Multilingual or bring lived experience from frontline or underrepresented communities (preferred but not required)

Benefits

• ELAW will supplement external funding to guarantee that all interns receive a total rate of $17.50 per hour for 10 weeks of full-time work (up to $7,000 total).
• Remote (U.S. and globally) or in-person at ELAW’s office in Eugene, Oregon USA.
• We are open to considering a different timeframe to accommodate other academic schedules.
• In-person internships may include additional opportunities to interact with visiting lawyers.
• Meaningful mentorship
• Interns engage with legal frameworks and partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.
• Interns receive clear supervision, collaborative feedback, and intentional support from multiple attorneys.
• Whether remote or in Eugene, interns are included in meetings, team communications, and one-on-one check-ins.