Summer 2027 Democracy, Speech & Technology Internship
Job Description
<p><em>Location: We expect our Summer 2027 internships will proceed in-person (or in a hybrid model) at our offices in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno. In your application materials please include your preference and willingness to be based in each of these locations.</em></p> <p><em>Deadline: Open until filled. Applications from first year law students will not be reviewed until November 2026.</em></p> <p>The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department invites law and graduate students to apply for its Democracy, Speech & Technology Internship. Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an internship at ACLU NorCal to be a rewarding learning experience. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU. </p> <p><strong><u>About the Legal Advocacy Department</u></strong></p> <p>The Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues cutting edge impact litigation to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The Department’s work focuses on three broad issue areas: Criminal Law & Immigration; Democracy, Speech & Technology; and Special Litigation & Appeals. The Department’s staff is based in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno. Department staff work closely with other departments within ACLU NorCal, including Organizing, Communications, Development, as well as with ACLU California Action.</p> <p><strong><u>Democracy, Speech & Technology Internship</u></strong></p> <p>Democracy, Speech & Technology Interns work directly with one or more attorneys in support of the project’s litigation and policy work, which focuses on safeguarding free speech, privacy, and open government, in the digital world and beyond. </p> <p>Interns will be tasked with legal and policy research and analysis; helping to author reports, advocacy materials, portions of court documents, and pre-litigation demand letters; and/or assisting with legislative or other local campaigns. Interns may attend and participate in public hearings at the state and county level and participate in meetings with policy-makers and advocates as such opportunities arise. When possible, interns may also attend appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions. Interns are encouraged to attend and participate in departmental meetings, where prospective litigation and policy strategies are discussed. At times, assignments may arise that provide interns the opportunity to work across the Department’s three broad issue areas, including Criminal Law & Immigration and Special Litigation & Appeals<em>.</em></p> <p><em>Applicants must currently be enrolled in law school or a graduate program in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Public Policy, Political Science, Journalism, or a related field, and must demonstrate a strong interest in the intersection of civil liberties and free speech, technology, and privacy. The Legal Advocacy Department accepts two to three</em><em> Democracy, Speech & Technology Interns per term.</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><strong><u>Application Process</u></strong></p> <p>Summer internships are full-time for 10 – 12 weeks and generally begin the day after Memorial Day. “Split” summers may be considered where the intern is available for a minimum of 10 weeks. Part-time internships are not available during the summer.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Funding and Scholarship Opportunities</strong></p> <p>For summ