Now Hiring: Legal Intern (Spring 2025)

Position Overview

The Legal Intern will work with our staff attorneys by engaging in direct client contact, legal research, and policy reform. The intern’s time will be dedicated to three main areas: 1) supporting our court-appointed representation of youth clients who have been committed to DYRS, 2) providing direct reentry support services to young adults transitioning back to DC after a period of youth or adult incarceration, and 3) engaging in local policy discussions and drafting recommendations.

Key Functions & Responsibilities

This position will report directly to Open City Advocates’ Legal Director, Raymond Ngu. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Assist with individual and family advocacy for youth, such as attending meetings for youth under supervision, attending court and administrative hearings, and assisting youth with program enrollment and supervision compliance.

  2. Attend misdemeanor and felony (adult) court hearings, liaise with defense attorneys, and draft letters in support of release requests and sentencing hearings.

  3. Conduct research and draft motions to support the representation of our court-appointed youth cases.

  4. Attend and potentially represent youth during disciplinary hearings at DC’s youth facilities.

  5. Conduct research on community supports and programs for returning citizens.

  6. Shadow staff at coalition meetings and policy forums about current issues affecting DC’s juvenile justice system, and draft summary memos and recommendations.

Schedule

  • Spring 2025 semester, approximately 10-15 hours/week.

  • Flexible schedule.

  • Interns should expect to be in the office (810 7th Street, NE) during at least part of the week.

  • For externship credit or as a volunteer.

Qualifications

  • Currently a law student in Washington, DC.

  • Experience working with at-risk youth, grassroots organizations, community organizing, and/or political advocacy is a plus.

  • Strong communication skills (written and oral).

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the youth and/or criminal justice system. Other favorable experience includes an understanding of youth law, prisoner reentry issues, poverty law, education law, or the child welfare system.

  • Interest in being exposed to DC’s youth and adult criminal justice systems, including DC’s secure and semi-secure youth and adult facilities.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and at least two professional references as a single PDF to Raymond Ngu at raymond@opencityadvocates.org.

Application Deadline

Rolling, with start date in January 2025.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Open City Advocates embraces diversity of identity, experience, ability, and thought, and we are an equal opportunity employer. We are actively striving to create and support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our staff, board of directors, client services, systemic reform efforts, and strategic direction. We encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ persons, differently-abled and neurodiverse people, and those with lived experience with the justice system to apply for all positions.

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Legal Intern (Summer 2025)