Litigation Intern (Law Student, Paid, Part-Time, Hybrid) - Spring 2026

Litigation Intern (Law Student, Paid, Part-Time, Hybrid)

Spring 2026

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (“the Institute”) seeks a dedicated, highly qualified law school student for Spring 2026 litigation internship.  

Established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute’s cutting-edge racial and social justice advocacy seeks to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power—from the ground up—in New Jersey. 

Known for our dynamic and independent advocacy aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant and healthy communities, we are committed to exposing and repairing the cracks of structural racism in our foundation that erupt into earthquakes in communities of color. 

The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state and replicable in communities across the nation. 

Internship Overview 

The Litigation Intern will work closely with and report directly to the Institute’s Litigation Counsel, supporting the development of litigation and legal strategy that advances the Institute’s racial justice mission. The Litigation Counsel works across the Institute’s issue areas—including economic justice, criminal justice reform, democracy, and environmental justice—and helps identify and develop litigation opportunities that complement and strengthen the Institute’s policy and advocacy work, including impact litigation related to reparative justice efforts.

This internship is litigation-focused. While the Institute engages in policy advocacy, this role is designed specifically for a law student interested in legal research, legal writing, and impact litigation, and who seeks exposure to how litigation is evaluated, developed, and used strategically within a social justice organization.

The intern will receive close supervision, clear assignments, and opportunities to build substantive legal skills.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Litigation Counsel, the intern may:

• Conduct legal research on federal and New Jersey law related to ongoing and potential litigation matters

• Draft and edit legal memoranda, research summaries, and background materials to support litigation strategy

• Assist with drafting sections of amicus briefs or other litigation-related filings, as appropriate

• Research constitutional, statutory, and case law issues connected to racial justice, civil rights, and equity

• Track legal developments and court decisions relevant to the Institute’s work

• Help organize litigation research, citations, and case materials

• Participate in litigation planning discussions and internal legal strategy meetings, as appropriate

• Support collaboration with external partners such as co-counsel, legal nonprofits, or pro bono attorneys

Assignments will be tailored to the intern’s experience level and academic schedule.

Interning in Newark 

For a law student interested in impact litigation and public-interest legal work, Newark offers a uniquely rich professional environment. It is less than 30 minutes by train from Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Montclair. Newark itself is galvanized by its young and dynamic local leadership and boasts an admirable and effective spirit of collaboration among nonprofit organizations, law firms, and local government officials. The Spring 2026 Litigation Internship is hybrid, with most work conducted remotely and periodic in-office days in Newark. The intern may also have opportunities to attend in-person meetings, court-related events, or Institute programs during the semester, depending on scheduling and litigation needs.

Compensation/Hours: 

The intern will work approximately 20 hours per week, depending on organizational needs and the intern’s availability. The internship will run through the end of the Spring semester, and may be extended until the start of the intern’s summer internship, subject to mutual availability and organizational needs. The position follows a hybrid schedule (primarily remote with some in-office hours) and pays $20 per hour.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, please submit a cover letter, resume, two professional writing samples (demonstrating different styles) for which you are the primary author, and three professional references (full name, job title, phone number, and email address). Attach all required documents to this job posting.

For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected] , ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.

***The Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and we 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, and veteran status.***