Summer 2027 Legal Intern

Organizational Overview: 

Pregnancy Justice defends the civil and human rights of pregnant women and all pregnant people, focusing on those most likely to be targeted for investigation, arrest, detention, or family separation: people who are poor or have low income, people who use drugs, and people of color. The organization and staff are guided by the principles of reproductive justice as defined by SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective: the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.

We believe that the criminal legal system and family policing system, otherwise known as the child welfare system, should never be involved in pregnancy and pregnancy-related outcomes; that all people are entitled to dignity, equality, and respect; and that the threat of pregnancy criminalization, like the criminal legal system itself, undermines the true right to life.

Pregnancy Justice works to dismantle all discriminatory systems of oppression while operating within the criminal legal system and the family policing system on behalf of our clients. Since its founding nearly 25 years ago, Pregnancy Justice has worked across social and political movements including reproductive rights and justice, public health, drug policy, criminal justice reform, racial equity, and prosecutorial accountability, among others, to achieve this mission.

For more information about Pregnancy Justice, please visit https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/. 

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Job Summary: 

Pregnancy Justice seeks applicants for a summer 2027 legal intern role.  

Interns will be involved in the day-to-day work of Pregnancy Justice’s legal and policy teams. As a small and dynamic non-profit organization, Pregnancy Justice offers interns the opportunity to make significant contributions to both our legal and policy work. Litigation-related work involves supporting Pregnancy Justice’s robust litigation docket, including both civil litigation and criminal defense, primarily through legal research and writing. Policy advocacy support involves contributing to Pregnancy Justice’s policy and legislative advocacy initiatives, including state and municipal legislative and budget research, advocacy writing, and coalition-building efforts. Interns will report to a supervising legal fellow, with additional oversight from the staff attorney, legal director, and senior policy counsel.  

Minimum Qualifications Include: 

• Current law student, with expected J.D. degree by spring 2028 or 2029; 
• Strong legal research and writing skills; 
• Self-motivated, creative thinker, with the ability to take initiative and work independently; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, time management, and interpersonal skills; 

• Commitment to excellence, working collaboratively, and fostering a positive and supportive work environment for all while working toward a shared mission; 

• Familiarity with a variety of research, database, and project management applications (e.g., Westlaw); 
• Commitment to the Pregnancy Justice mission; 

• Demonstrated passion, interest, and experience related to reproductive justice, criminal defense, civil rights, policy advocacy, social justice, racial justice, gender justice, public health, or related fields or experiences a plus. 

Responsibilities Include: 

• Supporting client representation, up to and including hearing and trial prep; 

• Legal research and writing; 

• Supporting the drafting of legal materials and public-facing research; 

• Tracking and analyzing developments in state and federal legislation; 

• Joining strategic meetings with a range of other reproductive justice and social justice organizations. 

Other Critical Competencies: 

• Strategic Thinking: Applies big-picture thinking to achieve long-term outcomes, while also focusing on the details of short- to mid-term implementation. 

• Decisiveness: Consistently makes decisions in a timely manner supportive of Pregnancy Justice’s mission, core values, and strategic objectives, demonstrating sound judgment. 

• Collaboration: Works effectively with various and diverse individuals and groups, with a willingness to actively listen and invite different views and opinions to build alignment in support of a common goal. 

• Commitment to Learning: Applies a growth mentality to their own and their team’s development. Promotes a culture of learning by modeling inquisitiveness and an openness to viewing mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve. 

• Nimbleness: Demonstrates comfort with ambiguity and can be flexible and adaptable, consistently reassessing priorities to make sound decisions and take strategic risks in furtherance of our mission and priorities. 

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements: 

The work is primarily performed in an office setting and/or remotely, with offsite meetings and events. Occasional travel may be required. This is largely a sedentary position that requires the employee to sit, stand, walk, and bend, and may occasionally require moving files and other equipment. The legal intern works full-time, typically between the office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant people and individuals with disabilities, including in the application process. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please send an email with the subject line “Reasonable Accommodation Request” to [email protected]. 

Commitment to Inclusive Hiring Practices: 

Research indicates that members of marginalized communities tend to underestimate their qualifications, and only apply when they meet all of the criteria in a job posting. If you are excited about this opportunity but are unsure if your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application and how your talents and experience can bring value to this role. 

Pregnancy Justice is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, gender, pregnancy, national origin, height and weight, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, physical characteristics such as height and weight, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pregnancy Justice recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce. 

How to Apply: 

• To apply, please submit: (1) a cover letter (one-page maximum), (2) a resume, and (3) a writing sample (ten-page maximum, double-spaced). For the writing sample, legal writing is strongly preferred (e.g., a memo or brief), but other writing that reflects your research and analytical skills will also be considered. 

• Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to applications from current 2L students received by November 10th.