2026 1l summer associate Jobs in Washington

2026 1l summer associate

2026 development and communications summer internship Jobs in Washington

2026 development and communications summer internship

2026 policy and research summer internship Jobs in Washington

2026 policy and research summer internship

government affairs intern summer 2026 Jobs in Washington

government affairs intern summer 2026

grad intern

paid intern spring 2026

West End Strategy Team

West End Strategy Team is accepting applications for part-time paid internship positions for the spring 2026 term (January-May) in our Washington, D.C. office. We welcome undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to apply.
 
West End Strategy Team is a premier, full-service strategic communications firm focused on expanding social justice, racial and gender equity and human rights. We partner with clients to drive meaningful change through strategic communications, including earned media strategy, messaging, digital strategy and crisis communications.
 
Through our work with clients, we’re promoting human and civil rights. We’re advocating for reproductive rights. We’re fighting against attacks on our democracy at home and around the world. We’re opposing book bans that threaten the right to education in communities across the country, and we’re pushing back against unconstitutional restrictions on voting access. We’re working on the cutting-edge issues of the moment as we partner with leading organizations working to make our world a better place.
 
Interns based in the D.C.-area will preferably join the team on days when we’re in person. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are considered in-office days, while Thursdays and Fridays are remote. Interns should be able to commit to joining the WEST team for roughly 20 hours per week.
 
WEST interns have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working closely with organizations focused on expanding social justice, racial and gender equity and human rights. Responsibilities include: writing and editing materials for distribution to the media, drafting opinion pieces, developing social media content, researching client organizations and their issue areas, researching target journalists and compiling media lists, conducting media outreach, aggregating news content, and various clerical duties. Through this experience, interns will cultivate a working knowledge of highly relevant political and advocacy organizations, the major issues of the day, and the media.
 
Each application must include the following: resume, cover letter and writing sample. Only complete applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
 
The pay rate for this position is $17.95/hour.
 
WEST is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. As we work to create change through strategic communications, we are also working to create change in our company and in our industry.

Paid Intern - Spring 2026

Rock the Vote

<div><div><div><div>As the largest, most diverse generation in our country&rsquo;s history, young people have more power than ever to decide our future. It&rsquo;s Rock the Vote&rsquo;s mission to ensure they exercise that power by participating in the democratic process &ndash; and we need your help! We are a 501(c)(3) organization based out of Washington, DC that is committed to voting rights and equal access for each American at the ballot box.

Rock the Vote is seeking smart, energetic, passionate, and enthusiastic candidates to join our team as Spring 2026 Interns. This is a paid position and will be fully remote.

We are seeking a diverse applicant pool with experience/interest in any of the following areas:
<ul>
<li><div><ul><li>Research and public policy</li>
<li>Voting rights and social justice issues</li>
<li>Civic engagement and partnerships</li>
<li>Social media, marketing, and events</li>
<li>Campaigns and elections</li>
</ul>
</div></li></ul>Responsibilities:

Each intern&rsquo;s responsibilities will be developed based on their experience, interests, and organizational need, and may include any combination of the following:
<ul>
<li><div><ul><li>Managing constituency communications, including fielding questions about registration and election deadlines and processes;</li>
<li>Creating interesting and informative social media content (with an emphasis on video content) on relevant issues;</li>
<li>Drafting explainers, statements, emails, fact sheets, and press kit materials;</li>
<li>Blogging about timely and relevant political issues;</li>
<li>Assisting to develop creative activations/programs that support Rock the Vote&rsquo;s mission;</li>
<li>Coordinating voter education with partner organizations;</li>
<li>Developing and maintaining a variety of resources to engage and educate young people about elections and voting rights issues;</li>
<li>Supporting the civic technology program by researching and outreaching to strategic partners and evaluating tools for needed improvements;</li>
<li>Creating descriptive and creative ads to improve our SEO;</li>
<li>Inventorying Rock the Vote&rsquo;s art assets to maximize content creation and distribution;</li>
<li>Expanding Rock the Vote&rsquo;s volunteer program to ensure we are maximizing impact and adding capacity to our team;</li>
<li>Additional duties as needed.</li>
</ul>
</div></li></ul>Qualifications:

Our ideal candidate is a top performer who brings high levels of energy and enthusiasm, works well independently and with diverse teams, and has a demonstrated ability to take initiative and lead projects. Qualifications should include:
<ul>
<li><div><ul><li>A proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite;</li>
<li>The ability to work independently and meet deadlines;</li>
<li>Strong critical thinking skills;</li>
<li>Being a self-starter who can collaborate actively with other team members;</li>
<li>Leadership and achievement in academic, professional, extracurricular, or volunteer settings;</li>
<li>The ability to work effectively with diverse team members and communities;</li>
<li>An attention to detail, organizational skills, and the abilities to learn fast and multitask;</li>
<li>Being good humored, independent, and flexible (creativity helps too!);</li>
<li>An affinity for youth civic engagement;</li>
<li>A passion for Rock the Vote&rsquo;s mission and goals.</li>
</ul>
</div></li></ul>In your application, please make a special note if you have experience with:
<ul>
<li><div><ul><li>Journalism, communications, and/or public relations;</li>
<li>Elections and/or campaigns;</li>
<li>Research and/or policy;</li>
<li>Social media and/or communications;</li>
<li>Video production;</li>
<li>Event planning and/or fundraising;</li>
<li>Developing and/or setting up new projects and programs;</li>
<li>HTML, CSS, SEO, JavaScript, PHP, Bootstrap, Photoshop, or UI/UX Design.</li>
</ul>
</div></li></ul>Hours and Compensation:

Interns will work up to 29 hours per week and will be paid Washington, DC&rsquo;s hourly minimum wage ($17.95/hour at the time of this listing).

How to Apply:

Please email jobs@rockthevote.org with a cover letter, resume, contact information for 2-3 references, and responses to the questions below, all compiled into one pdf document. Please include &ldquo;Spring 2026 Intern&rdquo; in the subject line.

Questions for Intern Applicants:
<div>
<ul><li>What issues are you most passionate about?</li></ul>
</div><div><ul><li>Tell us the story of voting in your first election. Haven&rsquo;t voted yet? Tell us what you&rsquo;re looking forward to when you vote for the first time.</li></ul>
</div>
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to those who apply on or before Monday, November 24, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Rock the Vote is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are looking for a diverse applicant pool and strongly encourage women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, and students from low-income and working-class backgrounds to apply.

Research has shown that women and members of historically marginalized groups often only apply to jobs when they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications. We are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization and we strongly desire applicants with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds: even if you don&rsquo;t see yourself fully reflected in every qualification listed, we still encourage you to reach out and apply.</div></div></div></div>

Spring 2026 Internship

NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER

<div>The Position

The National Women&rsquo;s Law Center (NWLC) seeks a legal intern for Summer 2026 to support the Strategy and Policy team on cross-cutting democratic reform and judicial nominations work. Law students who are able to commit to 37.5 hours per week are eligible to apply.

This is a full-time, non-exempt paid position of 37.5 hours per week to start June 1, 2026, and end August 8, 2026. This work may be done hybrid or in-person. 


The Organization

The National Women&rsquo;s Law Center fights for gender justice &mdash; in the courts, in public policy, and in our society &mdash; working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us &mdash; especially women of color, LGBTQI+ people, and low-income women and families.

For more than 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women, and we need you with us to continue this fight. 


Duties and Responsibilities
<ul>
<li>Research and draft advocacy resources, comments, and memos concerning democratic and court reform at the federal and state level and democracy-related litigation.</li>
<li>Support our judicial nominations work through legal research and preparation of advocacy resources.</li>
<li>Monitor, track, and summarize legal policy developments relevant to our democracy and nominations work.</li>
<li>Participate in coalition meetings and events, attend executive and Congressional proceedings, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders to further our democracy and nominations work.</li>
<li>Other related duties as assigned.</li></ul> 


 Qualifications:
<ul>
<li>Current enrollment in law school. 1L, 2L, and 3L students may apply.</li>
<li>Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.</li>
<li>Experience working on gender justice issues with an intersectional lens.</li>
<li>Experience or interest in a research, advocacy, or policymaking environment.</li>
<li>Demonstrated experience and judgment working both collaboratively and independently.</li>
<li>Flexibility, creativity, and initiative along with excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.</li></ul> 


Key Relations

The legal intern will report to the Director of Nominations &amp; Democracy. 


Compensation &amp; Benefits

The intern will be paid an hourly rate of $17.95 per hour. This position is not eligible for benefits. If funding is available through the intern&rsquo;s school, the payment contribution from NWLC will be adjusted accordingly. 


 Classification

This position is not included in the union-represented bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70. 


How to Apply

To apply, please submit:
<ul>
<li>A resume;</li>
<li>A cover letter explaining your interest in this internship; and</li>
<li>A short legal writing sample</li>
</ul>
This position will be open for up to a month maximum until November 30, 2025, or until 250 applications have been received (whichever comes first). NWLC posts a number of internship opportunities. If you wish to be considered for more than one internship, please apply separately to each position of interest.

The National Women&rsquo;s Law Center and National Women&rsquo;s Law Center Action Fund are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and value a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC&rsquo;s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don&rsquo;t check all the boxes, please apply. We&rsquo;d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 


Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email NWLCHR@nwlc.org.</div>

Summer 2026 – Legal Intern for Nominations & Democracy

National Fair Housing Alliance

<div>About the National Fair Housing Alliance &amp; the Opportunity 
The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) has an opening for current 2L or 3L law students to serve as Law Clerk during the spring of 2026. The law clerk will assist with NFHA&rsquo;s ongoing litigation matters and in systemic investigations and enforcement efforts, as well as performing other legal duties described below. 
 
Please note that NFHA is also seeking a summer law clerk and is posting that position separately. We also welcome working with law students to fulfill work-for-credit externship programs. 
 
NFHA leads the fair housing movement and is the nation's only national organization exclusively dedicated to eliminating all forms of housing discrimination and ensuring equitable housing opportunities for all people and communities. We have a diverse, experienced, mission-driven, and impactful team that has developed equity-based policies at the federal, state, and local levels to expand fair housing opportunities; brought precedent-setting litigation to eliminate some of the most heinous forms of housing discrimination; conducted groundbreaking research to promote equitable housing solutions; and invested millions of dollars in underserved communities. We have solid relationships, built on trust, with national, regional, and local organizations, and we effectively draw upon these connections to reach vital goals. We are game changers that millions of people rely upon to advance fair housing. 
 
Where you live matters. It affects every aspect of your life and determines whether you have access to the options and opportunities we all need to thrive. Yet despite important existing federal laws, more than four million acts of housing discrimination occur in the U.S. each year, and housing inequality remains stubbornly entrenched. That is why&mdash;through its education and outreach, member services, public policy, and advocacy, housing and community development, responsible AI, enforcement, and consulting and compliance programs&mdash;NFHA is dismantling longstanding barriers to equity, rooting out bias, and building diverse, inclusive, well-resourced communities. 
 
Essential Job Functions Responsibilities Overview<ul><li>
Research and preparation of legal memoranda</li><li>
Developing litigation and administrative complaints against entities engaged in providing, financing and/or building housing in a discriminatory manner and against government attempts to roll back fair housing rights.</li><li>
Assist with the technical support NFHA provides its member organizations on enforcement matters.</li><li>
Support NFHA&rsquo;s federal public policy advocacy, in coordination with legislative offices and federal agencies.</li><li>
May provide legal support to NFHA&rsquo;s consulting and compliance and responsible AI teams, depending on interest and availability.</li><li>
Assignments may vary depending on interest and availability.</li></ul> 

Qualifications and Competencies 
Education &amp; Experience:<ul><li>
Current 2L or 3L as of the spring 2026 semester.</li><li>
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.</li><li>
Strong commitment to public interest and civil rights law.
</li><li>Self-directed with the ability to work independently.
</li><li>Housing or civil rights law experience preferred.</li></ul>
 Expected Hours and Compensation<ul><li>
Average of 10-15 hours per week for up to 12 weeks during the spring semester</li><li>
The internship is paid at $25 per hour.</li></ul> 

Application Process: 
Apply to this position on the National Fair Housing Alliance Careers page with your resume, cover letter, a writing sample, and transcript of law school coursework. Applications without any of the required materials will not be considered. 
 
The posting will close by end of day on November 21, 2025 and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. No telephone calls or emails please. 
 
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement 
NFHA values and encourages diversity in its workforce. NFHA supports affirmative action and is dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunities. NFHA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category or characteristic protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.
bV9NCbQDwC</div>

Spring Law Clerk

AARP

<div>Overview:
<div>
AARP&rsquo;s Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors 60-plus, providing free legal and social work services to those in need &mdash; empowering, defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law.</div><div></div><div> 
Under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney, the LCE intern will be exposed to and participate in various legal functions related to law practice in an elder law setting for low-income older persons. Interns will complete the internship, gaining client interaction skills, subject area knowledge, and supervised experience in individual client representation and systemic advocacy.</div><div></div><div> 
Students interested in issues related to landlord-tenant, economic security, healthcare benefits, long-term care services, homeownership preservation, combatting fraud and financial abuse, and identifying solutions to systemic problems should apply. This paid internship position will begin in January 2026 and end in May/June.</div>
Responsibilities:
<div>
The intern will engage in a variety of functions, typically including but not limited to the following:</div><ul><li>
Interviewing current and prospective clients</li><li>
Meeting clients in the community (at home or in various facilities)</li><li>
Conducting fact-finding investigations</li><li>
Drafting correspondence</li><li>
Performing legal research and writing</li><li>
Preparing discovery requests</li><li>
Drafting motions</li><li>
Aiding in the preparation of court cases</li><li>
Observing the formulation and implementation of legal strategies</li><li>
Observing attorneys in court or in administrative proceedings</li><li>
Following settlement negotiations</li><li>
Documenting in computerized case management database</li></ul>
Qualifications:
<ul><li>Prospective intern must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school, classified as a rising 2L, 2L, rising 3L, or 3L at the start of the internship; have demonstrated interest in serving the needs of low income 60+ individuals and have a sensitivity to the needs of the elderly</li><li>
The ability to speak languages in addition to English is a plus but is not required</li></ul><div></div><div> 
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.</div><div> 
Additional Requirements</div><ul><li>
Regular and reliable job attendance</li><li>
Effective verbal and written communication skills</li><li>
Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships</li><li>
Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions</li><li>
In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise</li></ul><div></div><div> 
Compensation and Benefits</div><div>
The hourly rate is $21. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.</div><div></div><div> 
Hybrid Work Environment</div><div>
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.</div><div></div> 
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.</div>

Legal Counsel for the Elderly Intern (Spring Start)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

About Us: 
If you are passionate about the ability of American business to improve lives, solve problems, and strengthen society, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the place for you. As the world’s largest business organization, we believe in building a future that gives everyone the opportunity to pursue a better tomorrow. We make it our job today–and every day–to build the strongest relationships possible among the American people, business leaders, and elected officials in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and countries around the globe. For them and the businesses we represent, the U.S. Chamber is a trusted advocate and partner.
 We are driven by the pursuit of innovation and partnership and hold ourselves to the highest standards. Our commitment to our members is matched only by our commitment to our employees. As part of our team, we will support your long-term career development while delivering relevant learning opportunities. We will empower you to lead, develop deep expertise, and find new approaches to solving the toughest challenges.
 
Position Overview: 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Human Resources Intern this spring. This internship offers hands-on experience in multiple areas of HR, including talent acquisition, onboarding operations, and support for our culture and benefits teams. If you are passionate about HR and eager to learn in a dynamic, mission-driven environment, we want to hear from you!
 The Chamber Internship Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn at the world’s largest business organization. In addition to directly supporting a team in the organization, interns have an opportunity to participate in a variety of programming that will help build professional skills and networks.
 The Chamber also offers robust programming each semester to support professional development and networking for interns. These opportunities include company-wide meetings and social events, intern-exclusive discussions with senior executives such as the CEO, the Chief Policy Officer, and the President of the Foundation, as well as a resume review and interview preparation workshop.
 This is a 10-week internship that is expected to run from Tuesday, January 20 through Friday, March 27. This is a part-time role, and interns can anticipate working up to 20 hours per week.
 Interns work a hybrid schedule and are expected to be in the office at least two days a week at our U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C. Fully remote applicants will not be considered.
 This is a paid internship, and students may also receive academic credit if they meet the criteria set by their school. The hourly rate for this position is between $18.00 and $20.00 per hour. This internship is open to current college or graduate students, as well as individuals who have graduated within the past six months.
 
Responsibilities: 
<ul>
<li>Talent Acquisition Support</li>
<li>Assist with job postings, candidate sourcing, and resume screening.</li>
<li>Coordinate interview scheduling and candidate communications.</li>
<li>Help maintain applicant tracking systems and recruitment reports.</li>
<li>Onboarding Operations</li>
<li>Support new hire onboarding processes, including preparing materials and tracking completion of required forms.</li>
<li>Assist HR and department leaders with opening new positions, including preparing job descriptions and posting roles.</li>
<li>Help ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for new employees.</li>
<li>Culture & Benefits Projects</li>
<li>Collaborate on initiatives to enhance employee engagement and organizational culture.</li>
<li>Assist with benefits-related communications and administrative tasks.</li>
<li>Participate in special HR projects as needed.</li>
</ul>
Qualifications: 
<ul>
<li>Currently enrolled in a college or graduate program, or a recent graduate in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related field.</li>
<li>Previous internship or relevant experience in HR strongly preferred.</li>
<li>Passion for human resources and interest in talent acquisition and employee experience.</li>
<li>Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.</li>
<li>Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.</li>
<li>Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.</li>
<li>Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with HR systems is a plus.</li>
</ul>
This internship requires U.S. work authorization and is open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT).
 We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
 #LI-Hybrid

Human Resources Intern, Spring 2026

Center for Democracy & Technology

<div>Intern at DC&rsquo;s Top Tech Policy Think Tank this Summer!

The Center for Democracy &amp; Technology (CDT) is now accepting applications for internships for the summer of 2026. We welcome applications from students currently enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs with an interest in the internet and technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. The summer internship program is a 10-week opportunity for students to apply the principles they have learned in the classroom in real policy and non-profit environments.

Summer interns work closely with CDT operations, development, and communications staff on an array of projects across our policy areas. Typical tasks for these roles include the following: editing CDT reports, drafting social media copy, staffing in person and online events and supporting strategic communications, researching development prospects, supporting grant applications, and otherwise supporting fundraising for a 50+ person organization. CDT works on a number of issues related to technology, including AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, civic technology, and elections &amp; democracy. When appropriate, summer interns are also able to join meetings with outside stakeholders.

This listing describes the application process for two types of internships:
<ul>
<li>Communications Internship
</li>
<li>Development &amp; External Affairs Internship
</li>
</ul>General Qualifications
<ul>
<li>Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize.
</li>
<li>Ability to work independently when assigned projects.
</li>
<li>Genuine curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties, with an imaginative approach to their work.
</li>
<li>Undergraduate, MA, and any other degree candidates are encouraged to apply.
</li>
</ul>Communications candidates typically have:
<ul>
<li>Superb writing skills (and a deep personal commitment to grammatical pedantry)
</li>
<li>A passion for exploring a wide range of new topics and sharing what they learn with others
</li>
<li>A can-do attitude and a creative approach to problem solving
</li>
<li>An interest in media, journalism and policy communication
</li>
</ul>Development &amp; External Affairs candidates typically have:
<ul>
<li>Interest in helping develop and execute strategies to engage external stakeholders&mdash;including tech company contacts, nonprofit and academic leaders, and philanthropic funders.
</li>
<li>Desire to learn about nonprofit management and operations.
</li>
<li>Readiness to jump into a team-first atmosphere and have some fun!
</li>
</ul>Please apply below by submitting a current resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in interning at CDT and answering the following prompt. Please specify in your cover letter which of the internships you are interested in (see above.) If you have any questions, please contact internapps@cdt.org.

Writing prompt
<div>
<ul><li>Describe a time where you distilled a complex policy topic for different audiences and tell us about how you approached this?
</li></ul>
</div>Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning on November 1st, 2025. Applications for this role will close on February 1, 2026. In general, it takes 4-12 weeks to review applications after they are submitted and offers for internships are typically sent between March-May. Interviews will begin in January 2026.

All internships are slated to begin right after Memorial Day and run for about 10 weeks. Interns who are not receiving funding from another source such as a school stipend or fellowship will receive a stipend of $7,500 over the course of the 10-week program.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.</div>

2026 Development and Communications Summer Internship

Explore 237+ Paid intern spring 2026 in Washington this November. Find roles across top companies and apply now to boost your career.