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Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression · 3 months ago

2026 Summer Legal Internship

Philadelphia, PA

Internship

Onsite

Intern

Start in 2026 Summer

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is seeking law students for their Summer Legal Internship, providing a unique opportunity to engage in advocacy and policy projects related to free expression. Interns will work on various projects within FIRE’s Non-litigation Advocacy Departments, contributing to efforts that defend free expression and academic freedom.

E-LearningEducationNon Profit

Culture & Values

Responsibilities

Investigate free speech violations on college campuses, help draft public-facing commentary, conduct legal research, and participate in voluntary learning sessions on substantive First Amendment law

Research and respond to threats to free expression beyond the campus, draft advocacy materials, and assist in shaping FIRE’s public commentary

Draft and edit policy analyses for college administrators, research emerging issues in higher education policy, and help advance reforms to improve protections for student and faculty expression

Conduct legal research on public policy affecting expressive rights, draft internal bill analyses and public commentary, and monitor legislative developments

Assist in drafting memos and correspondence, conducting research projects to identify new advocacy targets, and contributing to FIRE’s Newsdesk

Participate in seminars with FIRE leadership and civil liberties experts, gaining deeper insight into free expression issues and public-interest advocacy

Qualification

Legal researchPublic advocacyPolicy analysisCivil liberties knowledgePassionate about free speechDetail-orientedCollaborative

Required

Rising 2Ls and 3Ls with strong academic credentials

Demonstrated interest in civil liberties and public-interest law

Detail-oriented

Collaborative

Passionate about advancing FIRE's mission to defend freedom of speech, expression, and thought

Legally authorized to work in the United States

Company

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

FIRE’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought—the most essential qualities of liberty.

Founded in 1999