2023 Summer Legal Internship

Summer 2023 Legal Internship Opportunity (Paid Internship)

Posted: 1/31/2023

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and defending the Delaware River Watershed and the communities that rely on it. DRN litigates in all four states of the Watershed— Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware—at the state and federal levels. The Delaware Riverkeeper, Maya van Rossum, leads DRN.

DRN, based in Bristol, PA, is committed to creating an inclusive community of staff and volunteers that is representative of the Watershed we serve. In doing so, we are better able to champion the rights of our communities to a Delaware River and tributary streams that are free-flowing, clean, healthy, and abundant with a diversity of life. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger voice for the River.

DRN invites rising second- and third-year law students and current LL.M. students to apply for a paid legal internship for summer 2023. The Summer 2023 Legal Internship is a temporary, full-time, non-exempt, hourly position with a compensation of $18 an hour. Benefits are not included. The internship can be in-office or remote.

DRN’s legal staff consists of a senior attorney, a staff attorney, legal fellows, and a semester-based law clinic, as well several volunteer attorneys. DRN’s attorneys litigate in both federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels. The intern will work closely with these attorneys on litigation-related research and writing projects. The intern may work on various issues, including challenging natural gas pipelines and environmentally-destructive industry practices, fighting for stringent PFAS regulations, and working on behalf of water anti-degradation in both legal and policy-oriented capacities. The intern may also have the opportunity to attend virtual oral arguments and hearings that take place during their internship.

Qualifications

• Rising 2L, 3L, or current LL.M. student
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Dedication towards protecting our natural environment
• Demonstrated interest in public interest work, environmental studies, or political science
• Completion of coursework in environmental law and policy preferred
• Basic understanding of administrative law preferred
• Exposure to environmental statutes and regulations preferred
• Computer and legal database literacy
• Access to a reliable internet connection, computer, and phone

Commitment
Forty (40) hours per week for a minimum 10-week period. The internship can be in-office or remote.

Apply for the Summer Internship Program
Please email to keeper@delawareriverkeeper.org with the subject line “2023 Summer Legal Internship Application. The following documents should be included as PDF attachments: 1) Cover letter, 2) Resume, 3) Unofficial transcripts, 4) Contact information for two references, and 5) Short writing sample (5–10 pages).

DRN will accept applications for the Summer 2023 Legal Internship on a rolling basis until March 31, 2023.

DRN cannot offer housing or travel assistance. DRN’s offices are easily accessible by public transit and is located near the Bristol SEPTA station. DRN will work with schools in any way we can to help students earn credit, but the student will have to begin the process at their institution.

We will begin to review applications on March 31, 2023, and will make decisions in late April. Once the priority deadline of March 31 passes, we will continue considering applications until the position is filled. This Internship will have a start date no later than June 2023.

Essential Functions of Position and Working Conditions

• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Work will be primarily indoors, in an office setting.
• Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including some hands-on physical work.
• Required to remain in a stationary position and operate standard office equipment, such as a computer, phones, photocopiers, printers, and fax machines.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonably accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. DRN retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

DRN is an equal opportunity employer.