Aspca Legal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary: The ASPCA's Legal Department helps the ASPCA to achieve its organizational goals of preventing animal cruelty and ending animal homelessness while assessing and managing risk. The Legal Department's role is primarily a supportive one, enabling departments to more efficiently and effectively conduct their core functions by, among other things: (i) providing strategic analysis and advice on emergent legal issues; (ii) planning for recurring areas of legal risk and potential liability; (iii) providing strategic planning assistance to avoid unnecessary risk; and (iv) advising staff at all levels on steps that should be taken to ensure compliance with existing laws, regulations and guidelines. The Legal Department of the ASPCA serves as in-house counsel for the organization, dealing with a variety of areas of law (including intellectual property, contracts, negligence, trusts and estates, employment law, tax, and the enforcement of animal cruelty laws).

We provide legal advice to every department within the ASPCA. Application Deadline: The application for this position will close at 9:00 AM on Monday July 6th, 2026. Candidates that do not submit applications before this deadline will not be considered.

Who We Are The ASPCA's Legal team provides full-service legal consultation to each department to ensure that risk is appropriately evaluated and managed or mitigated. They provide oversight and guidance on various internal and external policies, contracts, grant agreements, compliance, and protocols, as well as oversee the ASPCA's safety, security, and risk-management efforts. Where and When You'll Work This remote-based position is open to all eligible (see eligibility below) candidates based within the United States.

Externship Structure: This is a paid externship and is structured as a learning or work study program at the graduate school level. Students will be mentored by professional attorneys. The duration of each externship position is flexible and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Generally, the position is aligned with school semesters and is part-time during the school year (up to approximately 20 hours per week) and full-time in the summer. Eligibility Students currently enrolled in law school Candidates will be supervised by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in NY and NJ and candidates must be able to be supervised by an attorney licensed in those states. Candidates attending schools that require supervision in a state other than those listed are not eligible.

What You'll Get Compensation Pay rate is based on where the intern works, which for remote roles is the intern's primary location of residence. You can view which zone applies to you based on your location (aspca.app.box.com/v/aspcazonetable). For questions regarding locations not on the list, please send an email to Careers@aspca.org for more information

The pay rate for this seasonal intern role is: Zone 1: $18.00/hour Zone 2: $19.00/hour Zone 3: $20.00/hour Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. Responsibilities: What You'll Do Legal Interns report directly to the Director, Legal Counsel and have no direct reports. Externship responsibilities may include, but shall not be limited to: Researching legal issues and drafting memos related to various corporate issues, helping to provide legal counsel to the business managers on intellectual property and general business issues, and providing general legal support within the ASPCA where needed

Reviewing and drafting various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including confidentiality agreements, content licenses, consulting contracts, etc.), and providing advice to internal clients in order to further related negotiations with third parties. Conducting background research to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws and internal policies, including performing research and analysis on diverse substantive and procedural issues, such as a wide variety of issues relevant to ASPCA initiatives and programs. Creating templates, resources, and other educational materials

Qualifications Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values: Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes Believes in Team - that we are stronger together Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals Language English (Required) Education and Work Experience Bachelor's Degree (required) Language: English Education and Work Experience: Bachelors (Required) Stay Connected - Join Our Talent Community: If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community. About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals.

We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA's vision - that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA's standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.

Please inform the ASPCA's People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Candidates residing in Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Flagstaff, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco should click here for additional information about general candidate notices. Apply