Legal Intern

Legal Intern  ( Fall  or Spring Semester)
Schedule: Minimum 10 hours/week
Location: Remote 
Compensation: Unpaid (extension or fellowship may apply; highly encourage student to see funding through their school)

To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter answering this prompt: If you had the power to redesign the criminal justice system from the ground up, what would be your priorities? 

More consideration is placed on the cover letter than any experience on your resume. So not having any work experience is fine. 

About ROOT Legal:

ROOT (Reclaiming Our Options Together)  Legal is a nonprofit legal and advocacy organization committed to building more just and effective responses to harm—ones that are rooted in community, accountability, and equity. We are looking for passionate and principled law students who are eager to work at the intersection of advocacy, accountability, and transformation. This internship is ideal for those committed to rethinking traditional approaches to justice and supporting people as they navigate systems not designed with them in mind.Our approach questions the over reliance on punishment and seeks to explore ways  justice can be delivered in ways that address the root causes of harm. 

ROOT Legal welcomes law students who are curious, motivated, and interested in learning how legal advocacy, community work, and policy change can work together to transform outdated systems and support meaningful change.

Internship Overview:

Legal interns will:

• Support clients in clearing legal and financial barriers to license reinstatement
• Draft and file motions, mitigation materials, and court correspondence
• Collaborate with impacted people to develop individualized, non-carceral resolutions in cases involving court-designated victims
• Assist with legal research and policy advocacy that centers community safety and restoration, not incarceration
• Observe and support in court, helping clients navigate hearings and access services
• Explore alternatives to  fines and fees, 

What We’re Looking For

• Law students (1L–3L) interested in decarceration, restorative/transformative justice, reentry, or public defense
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills
• Comfort engaging with impacted communities with empathy and humility
• Interest in systems change, but grounded in direct service and mutual aid

Ideal Candidates:

• Believes in people’s ability to grow, heal, and repair harm outside of punishment
• Is committed to legal advocacy that centers human dignity, not just procedural outcomes
• Approaches clients with humility, curiosity, and a desire to understand the full context of their experiences
• Understands that laws are not always just—and is interested in working toward more equitable, compassionate applications of the law
• Can translate complex legal ideas into clear, supportive information for people navigating the system
• Thrives in dynamic, non-traditional legal spaces where community needs shape the work
• Students who are grounded in—or open to learning about—abolitionist values and  not reinforce carceral frameworks.

Why Join ROOT Legal?

This internship is an opportunity to develop professional skills while contributing to a growing organization working to shift how society responds to harm. You’ll be part of a team that values reflection, systemic thinking, and community leadership. Whether you're considering a future in public interest law, advocacy, or community organizing, ROOT Legal offers a space to learn, grow, and help shape a more compassionate and effective approach to justice.