IDRA Summer 2024 Education Law Internship

IDRA is a national non-profit organization, led by Celina Moreno, J.D., that, for over 50 years, has advocated educational justice through legal and policy advocacy, research, community engagement, and student and educator leadership development. Our mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college.

IDRA’s summer internship program is for individuals who are dedicated to equal educational opportunity for all children and who want to work as part of an interdisciplinary team committed to that goal. The education law internship is designed for law students who are currently pursuing a J.D. (or equivalent) and capable of doing staff-level work under minimal supervision. Interns are expected to perform a wide variety of tasks.

Education law interns support the work of IDRA’s legal and policy, advocacy, and community engagement teams. Education law interns report to the chief legal analyst and may be supervised by other legal team members. Interns may assist with a variety of tasks, including researching and publishing analyses of developments in education law; supporting the legal team in preparing amicus briefs and legal advocacy letters on education civil rights issues; participating in internal and external strategy sessions for impact civil rights litigation and legal complaints; and assisting with investigations into civil rights concerns.

Interns work closely with designated IDRA staff to develop and execute projects that will further IDRA’s mission. Assigned projects are based on the intern’s qualifications and interests as well as the needs of the organization.

IDRA has a particular interest in hiring law students with an interest in movement lawyering, school discipline and safety issues, identity-based bullying and harassment, immigrant student rights, and censorship in K-12 and higher education. Preference may be given to candidates who express interest in pursuing a post-graduate fellowship with IDRA upon graduation.

Experience and Qualifications

Ideal candidates should possess the following general qualities:

Good communication skills – written and verbal
Ability to present oneself in a professional manner
Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively
Ability to produce high-quality, thorough work
Ability to work independently and to function as part of a team
Knowledge of using office and technological equipment or capable of learning to do so
Self-motivation
A strong desire to learn

The 2024 summer education law internship will begin in early June and operate remotely for 10 weeks and 20-30 hours per week. Dates and hours are flexible and based on an individual’s needs.

In addition to work projects and learning, IDRA’s summer internship program will include experiential learning connected to critical work and practice, lunch and learns, social networking, access to a post-internship network, and a culminating project presentation.

Compensation: Education Law Interns are paid up to $25 per hour and are also encouraged to seek funding from school or external fellowship programs or academic credit.

Application

Complete the application form and provide your resume or CV, cover letter, minimum of three references.

Application deadline: March 15, 2024

IDRA is an equal opportunity employer. Please email Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., (paige.duggins-clay@idra.org) or Claribel Tirú (claribel.tiru@idra.org) if you have any further questions concerning IDRA’s 2024 education law internship.

Employment Opportunities at IDRA