Fall 2026 Legal Intern, Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative

About the Role

The ACLU seeks a Legal Intern in the Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative of the ACLU’s National office in New York City or Washington D.C. This position may be remote or hybrid. This internship is for course credit only.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team

The Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative (ACDI) was created in the wake of Dobbs to address the criminal defense needs of abortion providers, patients, and those helping people seek abortion care. We are a small and mighty team of criminal defense attorneys that manages and supports a network of experienced defenders nationwide who are ready to represent people facing abortion-related criminal investigations and prosecutions. ACDI attorneys also provide legal, strategic, and logistical assistance to support local counsel in providing a coordinated defense against the criminalization of reproductive healthcare. In addition, the ACDI collaborates closely with other projects in the ACLU’s national office, as well as ACLU affiliates and national partners, to drive advocacy that affirmatively fights the harms of laws and policies that restrict access to care.

What You’ll Do

As an intern, you’ll be an integral part of the ACDI team and will have the opportunity to meaningfully support defensive and affirmative advocacy related to the criminalization of abortion care. In addition to legal research and writing to support advocacy, Interns will also participate in weekly team meetings, attend reproductive-rights specific orientation sessions, and engage with coalition partner organizations on litigation and policy advocacy related to the criminalization of abortion.

Your Day to Day

• Conduct legal research and writing including drafting memoranda, portions of briefs, motions, and training resources
• Track cases and issues of interest to the ACDI
• Assist with performing intakes for those who contact the ACDI in need of criminal defense representation
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes

What You'll Bring

• Enrolled at an ABA accredited law school and has completed at least 1L year
• Excellent legal research skills, strong legal writing, and ability to conduct complex legal analysis
• Organization including good attention to detail, and the ability to balance multiple assignments
• Team player approach with good communication skills who responds well to feedback
• Initiative to see projects through to completion
• A demonstrated commitment to criminal defense, public interest law, civil rights and liberties, and social justice

Future ACLU'ers Will

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

Internship Logistics

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions