Summer 2011 Legal Intern at Human Rights Watch in New York

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

The US Program is seeking a law student intern for summer 2011. The intern will assist in the completion of HRW legal research on criminal justice, sexual violence, and immigration issues. Some of the projected activities include transcribing and cataloguing fieldwork interviews, organizing and evaluating information obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, and researching international human rights legal standards. Other duties and projects will be assigned as they arise.

Internships are generally unpaid. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, interaction with other US and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Qualifications:
This internship is open to current law students in good academic standing and recent law graduates. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable. A strong interest in human rights, specifically concerning US domestic policy, is essential. Relevant coursework is highly desirable, and knowledge of foreign languages, particularly Spanish, is a plus. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office and internet legal databases) are required. This internship is for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

Please apply immediately by sending a letter of interest, résumé, names of or letters from three references, and a brief, unedited writing sample to usprog_jobs@hrw.org by April 4 (no calls or email inquiries, please). Please use “US Program Legal Internship Application” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted further.