Fairleigh Dickinson University

JOB SUMMARY:

The Innocence Project is a not-for-profit organization that works to exonerate innocent prisoners through post-conviction DNA testing and develop and implement policy changes to prevent wrongful convictions and otherwise reform the criminal justice system.

 

The Innocence Project’s Policy Department works in Congress, state legislatures, and with local elected officials and policymakers to pass legislation and administrative policies that help prevent wrongful convictions. The department works to implement policies that improve fairness and accuracy in the criminal justice system, and help make justice more obtainable for the innocent.

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We are offering an internship for a law student to work with the Policy Department’s staff on different aspects of policy advocacy. The internship can be part-time or full-time, for 10 weeks during the summer.

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Internship Summary:

The internship can be either full time (40 hours/week) or part time (25 hours/week) in our New York City office.  The intern would receive hands on experience in several aspects of policy advocacy, including legal and, where appropriate, legislative research and political analysis. The internship would be supervised by the Policy Director, Advocates and attorneys working in the department.

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Roles and Responsibilities:

• Conducting legal, legislative, and/or political research and analysis.

• As needed, drafting memoranda, legislation, and policies related to the Innocence Project’s policy agenda.

• Assisting development of state policy campaign plans.

• Researching prospective states and issue areas for policy campaigns

• Providing support and assistance to policy department staff, Innocence Project network affiliates, and state legislative staff as needed.

 

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Desired Experience and Qualifications:

The internship is open to law students entering their second or third years who possess the following:

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.

• The ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively.

• Excellent legal research skills.

• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative and follow through on projects to completion.

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice policy reform and the mission and goals of the Innocence Project.

• A demonstrated interest in advancing policy.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.

• Ability to work independently and with a team and a great sense of humor!

 

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COMPENSATION:

Because this is an unpaid internship, students are highly encourage to seek Public Interest Fellowship funds, or work study or law school course credit.

 

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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please email a brief cover letter and resume as one attachment to: hr6@innocenceproject.org, with “Summer 2016 Policy Internship” in the subject line.  All .zip file attachments will be deleted without being read. No phone calls, please.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

The Innocence Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workplace diversity.

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For more information visit: http://www.innocenceproject.org/summer-2016-policy-internship/