The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.
We are seeking an intern to provide operational support to the Manager of Administration and Special Projects and Office Manager in our office for our Operations team.
Note: This internship is in-person at our New York City office.
Responsibilities:
Interns will assist with general administrative, event support, research, and clerical work for the Brennan Center, including filing, photocopying, answering phones, shipping and mailing, coordinating meetings, drafting routine correspondence and covering the reception desk.
Additionally, there will be opportunities to attend and observe substantive meetings, events, and conversations on program work.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidates are independent self-starters, friendly, cheerful, energetic, punctual, resourceful, positive, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
Interns must also have excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as a passion for our issues.
Highly organized and able to find solutions with minimal supervision.
Must be comfortable speaking on the phone and greeting visitors.
Experience with Windows, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word a must.
Open to evolving responsibilities.
Must be able to lift over 25lbs.
Must have a sense of humor.
We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.
This internship is only open to current undergraduate students.
Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm EST)
Pay: $17.95 per hour
Duration: June – August 2026 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 2, 2026
Note: The Brennan Center will follow the rules of your school regarding internships. Therefore, if a school doesn’t allow you to do a paid internship for some reason (i.e., receiving credit, etc.), then your internship will not be paid. In addition, if you are participating in a formal school internship program that allows you to work more than our stated hours, we will make a determination based on our needs and further assessment of your school’s program.
To Apply:
Please visit >>LINK HERE<< and upload (preferably in pdf) your (1) resume, (2) cover letter and (3) a list of contact details for three supervisor references. In your cover letter, please specify why you are interested in the role.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested students to apply early, as the positions will be filled once qualified candidates are found. No phone calls, please.
If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to [email protected] with “Operations Summer Internship” in the subject line, after registering in the online system. Applying through our website is strongly preferred.
Top Skills
What We Do
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to reform, revitalize – and when necessary, defend – our country's systems of democracy and justice.
At this critical moment, the Brennan Center is dedicated to protecting the rule of law and the values of Constitutional democracy. We focus on voting rights, campaign finance reform, ending mass incarceration, and preserving our liberties while also maintaining our national security. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion.
