Internships

Spring 2026 Legal Intern

  • Intern

Job Description

The Death Penalty Information Center (DPI) is seeking a law student for a Spring 2026 internship. Applications are due ASAP but no later than October 24, 2025. 

The internship can be hybrid (2-3 days per week in our DC office) or remote. While we would prefer a hybrid work schedule, we are open to fully remote interns. Law students will conduct legal research about the death penalty. The research topics may include differences between state capital punishment systems, prosecutorial misconduct, governmental transparency, the consideration of mitigation evidence, and racial bias in the administration of the death penalty. With supervision by DPI staff, the legal interns will be guided in performing legal research, writing memos on selected topics, monitoring litigation developments, and conducting cross-jurisdictional analyses.  

Applicants should have an interest in the Center's work of serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. The law internships are part-time, unpaid positions, but we are willing to work with your university for internship credit.

Other Considerations: 

  • The internship will begin in mid-January 2026 and end in early May 2026. If you need any adjustment of these dates, please note that in your cover letter.
  • DPI strongly encourages applications from historically disadvantaged groups, including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and formerly incarcerated people.
  • The internship is only available to current law students. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Legal research
  • Writing memos on selected topics
  • Monitoring litigation developments
  • Conducting cross-jurisdictional analyses

Qualifications

Required

  • Have completed at least one year of law school
  • Interest in criminal legal issues, capital punishment

Skills

Required

  • Legal research and writing
  • Good attention to detail
  • Strong time management
  • Comfortability with spreadsheets

Experience

  • Current Law Student