Graduate Legal Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.  

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. 
 
Earthjustice’s Litigation & Advocacy Partnership (“LAP”) team is accepting applications for one part-time intern for spring 2027. We are seeking graduate and law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. This is a paid position, and the successful candidate may work remotely within the U.S. 

The Litigation & Advocacy Partnerships team works with Earthjustice departments and programs to assess current partnership priorities and goals regarding strategic advocacy, project, and case development. Our team is focused on helping staff strengthen Earthjustice’s institutional capacity, resources, and skills for building authentic, lasting relationships with community-based organizations and other partners. To that end, we work to provide opportunities for staff to build their own knowledge and skills around cultural sensitivity, community lawyering, grassroots communication, and environmental justice principles; take the time necessary to cultivate and maintain their own relationships; and access institutional support and resources to effectively engage and work well with their community partners. 

What You’ll Do 

Under the supervision of the LAP Director and/or Deputy Director, the intern may:  

• Work closely with legal and policy staff to support partnership-focused projects, helping bridge connections between teams and community partners. 
• Assist with planning and coordinating community and stakeholder engagement activities tied to ongoing legal and advocacy efforts. 
• Help track and organize national, state, and local conferences or events where Earthjustice staff can build relationships and share work. 
• Support the Quarterly Partnership Speaker Series, including reaching out to speakers, preparing materials, and helping ensure smooth events. 
• Join weekly LAP team meetings and sit in on cross-departmental calls to stay informed and help move projects forward. 
• Review and enhance the Earthjustice Partnership Toolkit, and help create new training materials for staff on community engagement and partnership best practices. 
• Assist in developing interactive learning sessions for staff focused on environmental justice, community lawyering, and collaboration strategies. 
• Conduct research and draft short summaries on partnership trends, advocacy strategies, or ways to strengthen relationships with community-based organizations. 
• Provide general support on LAP initiatives. This could include writing, preparing presentations, or helping coordinate logistics for legal and policy projects. 
• Assist with identifying, editing, and managing content for partnership webpage. 

What You’ll Bring 

• Enrolled in law school as a 2L or 3L during spring 2027 or a graduate studies program with an anticipated graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028. 
• Excellent research, writing, organizational, and communication skills 
• Strong work ethic, initiative, and ability to think creatively. 
• Ability to work collegially with others and independently. 
• Interest in public interest law and social justice. 
• Must have deep interest in strengthening partnerships and advancing relationships with environmental justice communities. 
• Working knowledge of MS Office programs 
• Preferred background in environmental policy or studies, civil rights, environmental justice, sociology, social work, or community organizing. 
• Commitment of 15-20 hours per week for 12 weeks. 

Compensation: 

Interns at Earthjustice receive an hourly rate that is considered taxable income. The spring 2027 hourly rate for law students is $36.86, and the rate for graduate students is $27.66. 

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by Friday, September 18 at 5:00pm PT via Jobvite. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21 with offers extended no later than November 13.      

• Resume.
• One-page cover letter that addresses: (1) Why you want to work with the Litigation & Advocacy Partnerships team, (2) Your general weekly availability and confirmation you can work for 12 weeks, and (3) An indication of any applicable deadlines or requirements that are relevant to your ability to accept an offer. 
• Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): Proof of enrollment in your academic program (e.g., verification from your registrar’s office, unofficial transcript). 
• Finalists will be asked to submit 2 references. 

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.  

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position. 

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.