Legal Intern at PILnet

PILnet, formerly known as the Public Interest Law Institute (PILI), envisions a world where rule of law, as developed and supported within a wide variety of countries, delivers justice and protects human rights. PILnet connects with local partners to develop the institutions essential to rights-respecting societies. It inspires lawyers to serve the public interest, strengthens the ability of civil society to help shape law and policy and makes formal systems of justice more accessible. PILnet was founded in 1997 at Columbia University, became an independent organization in 2007, and has offices in Budapest, Beijing, Moscow, and New York.

Internship Overview:

PILnet is seeking a legal intern to assist the 2011 PILnet International Fellows with developing advocacy projects and generating pro bono matters. The intern will be based at PILnet’s New York office, working closely with the Program Coordinator in NY as well as with PILnet’s program staff in Budapest.

This internship is an exciting opportunity for a law student or a professional interested in hands-on experience in not-for-profits and with public interest law and human rights experts from around the world. In working with PILnet’s program staff, the intern will primarily assist the 2011 PILnet Intnernational Fellows with project proposals. Though start and end dates are flexible, PILnet seeks an intern to start in mid-late August and continue through the fall 2011 academic semester.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with PILnet International Fellows to develop project proposals;;
• Liaise with PILnet staff in NY and Budapest and Fellows to generate and place matters;
• Attend Human Rights, Law & Development,a course taught by PILnet Executive Director Ed Rekosh and capstone of Fellows’ coursework at Columbia Law School; and
• Other responsibilities as they arise.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A law degree, or current enrollment in second or third year of law school;
• Demonstrated interest in public interest law, human rights and/or social justice issues;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Experience with pro bono matters a plus;
• Resourceful, detail-oriented and organized;
• Enthusiastic and creative; and
• Experience and/or interest in working in a multi-cultural environment in an organization with a global focus.

Please send your resume, cover letter, and a short legal writing sample to Erin Carll at ecarll@pilnet.org.