2026 - Summer Associate - Justice

Alliance for Justice • INTERN • Remote • 3m ago

Job Title

2026 - Summer Associate - Justice

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt Position

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of more than 135 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. For more than 45 years we have been leaders in the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives.

Job Purpose
Over the course of four decades our vision has remained steadfast—to protect and expand pathways to justice and the democratic process—while our programs and tactics have been nimble and resilient, evolving with changing times and the needs of our members and the progressive community. We train and educate nonprofit organizations on advocacy tools to maximize their impact, while harnessing their collective power to transform our state and federal courts.

All AFJ summer associate opportunities are part of a comprehensive program designed to make the experience meaningful, engaging, and professionally enriching. In addition to the day-to-day work with your team, you’ll be supported by an intern program coordinator who ensures that interns get the most out of their time with us. The program includes weekly activities, opportunities for intern bonding, and professional development sessions to help you grow your skills and build connections. Our intern Lunch & Learn series, which showcases the range of expertise we have across AFJ staff, provides insights on a wide variety of career paths, advocacy skills, and nonprofit work. Together, these elements create a well-rounded internship that combines hands-on experience with mentorship and community—making AFJ a great place to spend your summer. 

AFJ's 2026 Summer Associates will work in one of three teams within the AFJ Justice Team:

(1) our Federal Courts team,
(2) our Building the Bench initiative, or
(3) our State Court Justice Project.

On the Federal Courts team, AFJ vets nominees to the federal judiciary. AFJ educates a variety of stakeholders to ensure that only fair, qualified individuals committed to the law and social justice are confirmed. AFJ also works to identify and advocate for the strongest potential nominees to the federal judiciary who reflect the country's demographic and experiential diversity. Associates will provide legal research on judicial nominees, monitor and report on the Supreme Court (term reviews, current event monitoring, etc.), and participate and contribute to coalition partners and strategy initiatives. Individuals have the opportunity to write and publish their own blog posts, attend Senate Judiciary Committee hearings (if they occur), and connect with a variety of leaders across the nonprofit sector.

AFJ’s Building the Bench initiative identifies, recruits, and advocates for a highly qualified and demographically and experientially diverse pool of candidates for federal and state judgeships. Associates will contribute legal research, candidate research, and strategic input to support the Building the Bench team’s work in identifying and supporting movement-aligned candidates for the bench. This will include researching potential judicial vacancies and the selection process for each vacancy, as well as expanding AFJ’s national reach.

With 95% of all cases in the United States filed in state courts, those courts serve an essential role in guarding democracy and protecting civil and human rights. AFJ’s State Court Justice Project educates the public about important state supreme court elections and vacancies nationwide, monitors noteworthy state supreme court cases, and details judicial selection methods for state supreme courts to help organizers, policymakers, voters, and media outlets better understand how judges in their states are chosen.

Duties and Responsibilities

Monitor, analyze, and write about state supreme court cases, media, and policy developments;

Monitor state and federal judicial nominations and vacancies;

Conduct comprehensive research analyzing nominees’ records and then draft reports for judicial gatekeepers, press, the public, and key stakeholders;

Research and vet prospective judicial candidates;

Attend confirmation hearings;

Attend coalition meetings and take notes;

Conduct research and analysis related to judicial reform, judicial ethics, and a broad array of public interest law issues;

Support meetings with key legislative offices in coordination with AFJ staff;

Identify state and federal judges who should be honored for their judicial legacies;

Work with Communications and Development teams to draft press releases, blog posts, and web content;

Perform other duties as necessary.

Required Qualifications
Current law student;

Excellent research, writing, and oral communications skills;
Ability to analyze and clearly explain concepts of law and public policy;

Demonstrated experience breaking down complex topics to non-expert audiences;

An interest in federal appellate law and the federal judiciary;

Familiarity with the state supreme court selection landscape is a plus but not required;

Experience in advocacy and/or political work;

A demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil rights, and public interest issues is essential;

Applicants must be able to work 40 hours per week.

This is a fully remote position. Associates in the metro-DC area may arrange periodic work from the organizational offices.

Compensation and Benefits

AFJ offers a limited number of full-time (40 hours per week) paid summer associate positions with a commitment to pay $8,000 for the duration of the internship program. This is a 10-week program that starts June 1st, 2026, and runs through August with flexible start and end dates if needed. AFJ also welcomes the opportunity to partner with law schools and law students who are receiving partial or full funding from their home institution or a third party. If third-party funding is less than AFJ has committed to pay summer associates, AFJ will make up the salary difference. Students who receive academic credit for their summer associate position are not eligible for payment from AFJ.

Work Environment

Geographic Location:

Contiguous U.S.

Work Arrangement:

Remote

Typical setting:

Office

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.
On occasion, travel by car, train, and/or airplane may be required.

Schedule:

Summer internship
Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Some occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

Direct Reports

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

DEIA and Equal Employment

At Alliance for Justice, we celebrate the richness that our differences bring. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are not just principles, but the foundation of our strength. Every individual brings a distinct and invaluable perspective, and we thrive when all voices are encouraged to speak openly, authentically, and with confidence. By embracing who we are and where we come from, we create a culture where everyone is welcomed, heard, and empowered to contribute to our collective mission.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race; color; creed; sex; age (18 and over); sexual orientation; national origin; religion; political affiliation; marital or partnership status; familial status; gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions; gender identity; gender expression; military or veteran status; medical condition or history, including cancer and AIDS/HIV; genetic information including predisposition or carrier status and that of family members; disability (mental or physical); physical characteristics or personal appearance, including height, weight, and hair (including hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin); ethnicity; ancestry; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or on any basis prohibited by federal or state statute. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

AFJ/AFJAC shall not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or prospective employee due to actual or perceived arrest or criminal record. AFJ/AFJAC will not ask applicants about any arrests that did not lead to convictions. AFJ/AFJAC will not ask job applicants about their conviction record at the application or interview stage. After the employer has extended a conditional offer to the applicant, the employer may choose to run a background check and ask questions about the applicant’s criminal conviction history.

Disclaimer

This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive. The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants, please reference “Summer Associate – Justice” in your cover letter and submit your resume and writing sample at https://www.afj.org/about/careers.  At the top of your cover letter, please specify the team or teams for which you are interested in being considered. (i.e., Federal Courts Team + State Courts Team; all teams, etc.) (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email [email protected].