Application Guide

How to Apply for Fall 2026 Legal Internship – Washington, DC Regional Office

at Earthjustice

🏢 About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the nation's premier environmental law organization, wielding the power of law to protect people's health, preserve wildlife, and combat climate change. Its unique role as 'the Earth's lawyer' offers interns the chance to work on high-impact litigation, from curbing air pollution to defending clean water. With a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice, Earthjustice fosters a collaborative environment where passion for the planet meets legal excellence.

About This Role

As a Fall 2026 Legal Intern in the Washington, DC Regional Office, you will support cutting-edge environmental litigation, including cases on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and water protection. You'll conduct legal research, draft memoranda and briefs, and assist with discovery, all while working remotely or on a hybrid schedule. This role offers hands-on experience in public interest environmental law and the chance to contribute to national advocacy efforts.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching legal precedents for a pending motion, drafting sections of a brief, and attending a virtual team meeting to discuss case strategy. You might also review discovery documents, attend a federal court hearing via phone, and collaborate with attorneys on a memo about a new regulation. The work is intellectually rigorous and directly contributes to protecting the environment.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Earthjustice Is Looking For

  • A law student with strong legal research and writing skills, ideally with coursework or experience in environmental law, administrative law, or public interest litigation.
  • Demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and a passion for Earthjustice's mission, evidenced by prior internships, clinics, or advocacy work.
  • Ability to work independently in a remote setting, with excellent time management and communication skills, and comfort using virtual collaboration tools.
  • Proactive and detail-oriented, with the ability to analyze complex legal issues and synthesize information for fast-paced litigation.

📝 Tips for Applying to Earthjustice

1

Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific environmental law interests, such as air quality, climate change, or clean water, and connect them to Earthjustice's current cases.

2

Provide writing samples that showcase your legal analysis, preferably on environmental or administrative law topics, and ensure they are well-cited and persuasive.

3

Research recent Earthjustice victories or ongoing cases in the DC office, and mention them in your application to demonstrate genuine interest.

4

Emphasize remote work experience or skills, as the role is primarily remote; discuss how you stay organized and communicate effectively in a virtual team.

5

Proofread carefully for typos and ensure your application materials are aligned with Earthjustice's core values of justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express passion for environmental advocacy and how Earthjustice's mission aligns with your career goals, referencing specific cases or issues the DC office handles.", 'Highlight your legal research and writing abilities with concrete examples, such as law review articles, clinic work, or moot court experience.', "Show understanding of Earthjustice's values (justice, inclusion, partnership, excellence) and how you embody them, perhaps through diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.", 'Convey enthusiasm for remote collaboration and your ability to contribute meaningfully from a distance, including any experience with virtual teams.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Earthjustice's website, especially the 'Our Work' and 'Washington, DC Office' pages, to understand current cases and priorities.
  • → Read recent press releases or news articles about Earthjustice's victories in the DC office, such as air pollution or climate rulings.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Earthjustice's core values and diversity statement, as they emphasize inclusion and partnership.
  • → Check the 'Careers' page for any insights into the internship program, including testimonials from past interns.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Discuss your understanding of a recent environmental law case or issue in the DC region, such as the Clean Air Act or Clean Water Act litigation.
2 Explain how you would approach a complex legal research question, including sources you'd use and how you'd synthesize findings.
3 Describe a time you worked independently on a project with minimal supervision and how you ensured quality and timeliness.
4 How do you handle multiple deadlines and competing priorities, especially in a remote setting?
5 Why Earthjustice specifically, and what environmental issue motivates you most?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Earthjustice or its specific work; tailor it to the DC office's docket.
  • Overlooking the remote work aspect; failing to demonstrate your ability to stay productive and communicate effectively without in-person oversight.
  • Neglecting to proofread or submitting writing samples that are irrelevant to environmental law; ensure samples are polished and on-point.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Earthjustice!

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