Social Justice-Focused Legal Internship for Graduate Law Students

Social Justice–Focused Legal Paid Hybrid Part-Time Internship for Law Students

Spring 2026

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice seeks dedicated, highly qualified law school students for Spring 2026 internships.  

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. 

The Institute’s programmatic focus rests upon four interconnected pillars: 

1. Economic Justice 

2. Criminal Justice Reform 

3. Democracy and Justice 

4. Environmental Justice 

Internship Overview 

Students interning with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice will work across our four pillars of work (economic justice, criminal justice reform, democracy and justice, and environmental justice), with close supervision and guidance from Institute attorneys and staff. Detailed descriptions of each of these pillars follow below. Most of the students’ work will focus on research, writing, and policy analysis, with the opportunity to assist with Institute legislative and policy advocacy, and participation in Institute meetings, conferences, and community events (virtual and in-person). This is a general but not comprehensive list of the opportunities of the internship as the Institute’s work also encompasses the development of pilot legal and policy reform projects, public education and mobilization.  

Economic Justice  

New Jersey has one of the largest and most stark racial wealth gaps in the nation. Under our economic justice pillar, the Institute works to ensure economic justice for residents in our divested, urban communities through expansion of access to (1) quality employment opportunities that promote long-term security, (2) housing in safe and healthy neighborhoods, and (3) wealth development opportunities, so that all people can realize their full potential. Closing the racial wealth gap in New Jersey is at the core of our current work as our economic justice initiatives identify and promote meaningful policies that will close the staggering wealth disparities in our state. In addition, the initiative integrates a reparative justice framework into its work, directly harnessing our understanding that discriminatory policies and exclusion for people of color have been central to the creation of the economic inequalities that we see today. From the periods of slavery to redlining to predatory lending that disproportionately targeted Black and Brown people during the Great Recession and continues today, our economic and social policies have erected barriers to financial opportunity for people of color. Therefore, our work aims to rebuild our social and policy systems with intentionality, informed by research evidence to redress past and current harms, while expanding future opportunities for all, particularly Black communities and other communities of color. Through our model of research and analysis, the production of reports and policy briefs, and advocacy for policy and legal change, our work unlocks opportunity, promotes economic mobility, and dismantles structural and racial inequality in New Jersey. 

Criminal Justice Reform  

Through our criminal justice reform pillar, the Institute is working to create a rational and effective criminal justice system that (1) strengthens communities by treating people, particularly communities of color and the most vulnerable among us, fairly and equitably; (2) provides alternatives to incarceration, particularly for youth; (3) protects constitutional rights; (4) ensures racial equality; and (5) transforming policing and public safety. The Institute is a member of the Independent Monitoring Team overseeing reforms to the Newark Police Department in response to a federal consent decree entered into between the Department of Justice and the City of Newark. Through this work, the Institute monitors reforms concerning community policing and bias-free policing while also serving as the primary community liaison between the monitoring process and the Newark community. Even as we implement reforms to create accountable policing, the Institute is simultaneously rethinking the entire institution of policing and is working toward reducing law enforcement’s footprint in our communities, with a focus on what community members need to feel – and be – safe and protected. The Institute is also a leader in youth justice reform in New Jersey, spearheading the 150 Years is Enough Campaign, a statewide coalition that seeks to ensure fair outcomes for youth involved in the justice system. The campaign employs a multi-pronged approach that aims to (1) promote racial equality and fair treatment for all youth at all points of contact with the justice system; (2) end youth incarceration; and (3) invest funds into community-oriented alternatives to incarceration. 

Democracy and Justice

Our democracy and justice pillar seeks to make the promise of democracy real in New Jersey by expanding the right to vote, reducing barriers to participation, and ensuring that communities of color are afforded equal representation in the redistricting process. The Institute leads a campaign to restore voting rights to all people in New Jersey with a criminal conviction. The Institute also leads efforts to reduce barriers to participation, including championing early in-person voting, same day registration and expanded automatic voter registration. The Institute also engaged with the 2021 legislative and congressional redistricting processes to ensure racial equity and public participation. 

Interning in Newark 

For individuals who are looking to gain substantive skills and develop their professional networks while advancing social justice, Newark is a great place to be. 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 Intern Program at the Institute is hybrid, consisting of in-office and remote work. Spring interns will also have the opportunity to attend in-person events over the course of their time at the Institute. 

Compensation/Hours: 

The intern will work approximately 20 hours per week, depending on organizational needs and their availability. The internship will last about 13 weeks and will follow a hybrid schedule (primarily remote with some in-office hours). The position 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 NJISJ 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.***