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Intern Attorney Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

U.S Comm for Refuge

Law Student Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

Under attorney supervision, full life-cycle case support * Review cases under extending processing times: gather updated facts and documents, submit Congressional Inquiries where appropriate, and ...

BAE Systems

NonTechnical Intern 4

Arlington, VA · On-site

$51K - $70K/yr

... attorneys with general matters; assisting the IP Department with intellectual property matters; and assisting the Ethics Office with general and compliance matters. This internship requires a ...

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Intern Attorney information

What is an intern attorney?

Intern Attorneys are law students or recent law graduates who work in legal settings under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Their role is to gain practical experience by assisting with legal research, drafting documents, and sometimes observing or participating in client meetings and court proceedings. These internships can be paid or unpaid and are often a crucial step in building a legal career, providing insight into various areas of law and valuable networking opportunities.

What types of projects or cases does an intern attorney typically work on, and how much responsibility can I expect to have?

As an Intern Attorney, you can expect to assist with a variety of legal tasks, such as conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, preparing case documents, and sometimes attending meetings or court proceedings with supervising attorneys. The level of responsibility often depends on the size and focus of the firm, but most intern attorneys are given substantive assignments that contribute meaningfully to ongoing cases or projects. You'll collaborate closely with experienced attorneys and may receive mentorship, feedback, and opportunities to observe the practical application of legal theories. This experience is designed to help you develop essential skills and gain insight into the daily realities of legal practice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intern Attorney, you need a solid understanding of legal principles, strong research and writing abilities, and current enrollment in or recent graduation from law school. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in Microsoft Office are commonly expected. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues and clients help set candidates apart. These skills are essential for effectively supporting legal teams, producing high-quality work, and building a successful legal career.

What is the difference between Intern Attorney vs Law Clerk?

AspectIntern AttorneyLaw Clerk
Required CredentialsLaw student or recent graduate, bar exam in progress or passedLaw student or recent graduate, often pursuing a JD
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, courts, law firms, government agenciesCourts, law firms, government offices, legal departments
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, government agencies, corporate legal departmentsCourts, law firms, judicial chambers
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Intern Attorneys and Law Clerks often have similar educational backgrounds and work in legal environments. Intern Attorneys typically work in law firms or government agencies, gaining practical experience, while Law Clerks often work directly for judges or courts. Both roles are valuable for legal career development, but Intern Attorneys usually have more client-facing responsibilities, whereas Law Clerks focus on research and case preparation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Intern Attorney jobs in Washington?

For Intern Attorney jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Intern Attorney jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Intern Attorney jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Intern Attorney jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Intern Attorney job openings:

Intern Attorney jobs near you

Human Rights Accountability Legal Intern - Fall 2026

Washington, DC

Human Rights First
Non-Profits • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Human Rights Firstexternal

Internship

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Human Rights Accountability Legal Intern - Fall 2026

The Accountability Legal Intern will assist with research and analysis aimed at strengthening our team’s ability to effectively advocate for targeted sanctions against human rights abusers and corrupt officials around the world using Magnitsky-style sanctions programs from the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. In particular, the intern will be asked to perform legal and policy background research and maintain databases to improve our understanding of the applicability, use, and effects of different sanctions programs. The intern will also be asked to perform research and writing related to specific instances of serious human rights abuse and/or corruption as we work to identify individuals for consideration as possible designees under various government sanctions programs, including the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and similar programs from other jurisdictions. In addition, the intern will be asked to conduct research and draft materials to support Congressional advocacy efforts related to this and other related work to promote and protect Magnitsky sanctions and other accountability tools and institutions, such as the International Criminal Court. The intern will gain professional experience in legal analysis, persuasive writing, and engagement with a diverse range of partners. The intern may also be involved in our efforts to protect accountability institutions and human rights activists from attack by the Trump administration and other actors.
Interns must be located in the United States.
How will the intern make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship?
The intern’s work will make Human Rights First and its partners more effective advocates in seeking accountability for human rights abuses and corruption, by helping make the strongest case possible for sanctions in specific instances and by improving our overall understanding of the impact and implementation of these tools. The intern’s work will also support Human Rights First’s efforts to protect accountability tools and institutions from attacks and misuse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support attorneys in policy, legal, and data research projects to inform our efforts and those of our coalition partners related to human rights and anti-corruption sanctions and advocacy.
  • Monitor and report on events occurring around the world that are relevant to our work.
  • Work with attorneys reviewing Magnitsky case files to provide information and answer questions.
  • Conduct research to gather information and assist in preparing files for Global Magnitsky recommendations for the U.S. and other major Magnitsky jurisdiction governments involving serious human rights abuse or corruption.
  • Track, via internal databases, different government, NGO coalition, and HRF metrics.
  • Assist with coordinating NGO training sessions on targeted sanctions.
  • Assist with advocacy to government entities and the public regarding the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and other related Magnitsky-style programs (drafting blogs, op-eds, factsheets, other publications).
  • Opportunity for additional responsibilities based on performance.

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Strong research and writing skills.
  • Significant knowledge of the human rights context in at least one region of the world, and/or significant knowledge of human rights issues facing vulnerable and marginalized groups.
  • Ability to apply legal standards to the facts of specific cases.
  • Knowledge of human rights and/or anti-corruption concepts, methods, statutes, and instruments desirable.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Foreign language skills desirable.
Education: Law student (J.D. or LLM) preferred.
Compensation: Unpaid
Submission Deadline: July 24, 2026
Start Date: September 8, 2026
End Date: December 11, 2026
Time Commitment: 10-12 hours/week
Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (ideally related to human rights or corruption).


Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.

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