ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
ArchCity Defenders envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income.
ACD’s Communications team educates the community about the organization's mission, initiatives, and services; advocates for issues important to our client community; supports the legal work of ACD’s staff; provides a platform for our clients to share their stories on their terms; coordinates local, national, and international media relationships; and supports the marketing and fundraising efforts of ACD’s Development team. ACD’s media advocacy has been instrumental in exposing injustice, countering misrepresentation and distortion of poor people and people of color in mainstream media narratives, and impacting community conversation on issues impacting our region.
ArchCity Defenders is looking for interns to join its dynamic and innovative communications team. Communications interns function as a part of an interdisciplinary team and coordinate with attorneys and staff to support ACD’s mission and expand our reach. A successful intern needs to be assertive, independent, persistent, empathetic, proactive, and flexible. They will need to take initiative, use problem-solving skills, and become a strong advocate for themselves and others.
There are two types of internships, and you will select the one that interests you in the application below.
Communications Intern
The intern will work with the team to produce quality copywriting and editing for ACD’s print, digital, and social platforms, conduct research on social justice issues within ACD’s sphere of advocacy, and develop and execute innovative communications/media ideas that advance ACD’s mission.
Responsibilities:
- Present innovative communications/media ideas
- Create written content and take pictures for print publications, events, marketing collateral materials, and our blog, the ACD Justice Journal
- Create written content, take pictures, and produce videos for ACD’s website and social media channels
- Track earned news media clips (radio, online, print, television)
- Conduct issue and policy research on social, legal, racial and/or economic issues
- Attend communications update meetings as needed
- Support the mission of ACD and work with staff to support that mission through communications services
- Any other duties as assigned to help the Communications team do its best work
Qualifications:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and curiosity about learning new systems
- Experience/interest in developing accessible and relevant content for social media
- Experience editing and drafting website content
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
- High capacity for problem-solving and self-direction and the ability to work independently within time constraints
- Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
Digital Media Intern
The intern will work with the team to conceptualize and execute design projects, produce content for ACD’s website and social media channels, and assist in designing various digital and print materials.
Responsibilities:
- Present innovative communications/media ideas
- Brainstorm design concepts and draft initial designs for review
- Assist with the design of ACD materials, including graphics for social media, print publications, events, and marketing collateral materials
- Take pictures and produce videos for ACD’s website and social media channels
- Update the website with various content using WordPress
- Conduct issue and policy research on social, legal, racial, and/or economic issues
- Present social media metrics reports and make suggestions to improve communications strategy
- Attend communications update meetings as needed
- Any other duties as assigned to help the Communications team do its best work
Qualifications:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and curiosity about learning new systems
- Experience / interest in developing accessible and relevant content for social media
- Experience editing and drafting website content
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
- High capacity for problem solving and self-direction and the ability to work independently within time constraints
- Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
Important General Internship Information:
- We plan to host Fall 2026 interns and practicum students in person and they are required to work in-person at our new office at 5939 Goodfellow. However, that plan is subject to change to remote work at any time due to public health requirements, work locations and expectations, and school-related policies and procedures.
- Fall 2026 interns and practicum students must be able to work part-time for 8-12 weeks, this may vary to meet the needs of the students and ACD staff.
- Due to the potential for conflicts of interest (among other reasons), we are not able to accept interns or practicum students who seek to simultaneously engage in more than one internship while working with ACD.
- ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+, and gender non-conforming applicants.
Cover Letter & Writing Sample/Portfolio Submission Instructions:
- Please submit your cover letter as a single PDF file that includes your cover letter followed by a writing sample (for the communications intern) or 2-3 samples of work from your portfolio (for the digital media intern).
- Your sample should illustrate your professional writing or design ability. While we're not looking for a specific “type” of sample, it is ideal to submit a sample that is relevant to the role you are applying for. You may attach an existing piece of work or something newly created to the end of your cover letter.
Skills Required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite
- Proficiency with Canva
- Experience editing and drafting website content
- Experience updating website content using WordPress
- Experience or interest developing accessible and relevant social media content
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail-oriented approach and ability to work in a team-driven organization
- High capacity for problem-solving, self-direction, and working independently within time constraints
- Flexible and able to respond appropriately to changing needs
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power and privilege
What We Do
ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. Through its foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration, ACD achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
