How to apply for Spring 2027 Legal Internship (US)

About Center for International Environmental Law

The Center for International Environmental Law is a nonprofit that uses legal strategies to protect the environment and human rights. Its work focuses on international environmental law and how it connects to investment law, trade law, and human rights. Interns learn from attorneys and researchers who lead international strategies on the right to a healthy environment.

About the role

This legal internship involves research and writing on domestic and international law, including environmental and human rights law, international investment law, and international trade law and policy. Interns also help with policy analysis and advocacy. The work supports CIEL's programs and gives law students real-world training in international environmental law.

A typical day

A typical day may involve researching international environmental law or human rights law, drafting memos or analysis, and assisting with policy analysis or advocacy. Interns work remotely under the supervision of CIEL attorneys and researchers. Exact daily tasks depend on the program area, so ask about current projects during the interview.

Who Center for International Environmental Law is looking for

• A law student with strong legal research and writing skills.
• Interest in international environmental law, human rights law, international investment law, or international trade law and policy.
• Comfortable doing thoughtful, creative research and analysis under supervision.
• Able to work remotely and full-time for the spring 2027 term.

Tips for this application

• In your cover letter, name one or two CIEL program areas or recent legal developments that connect to your research or coursework.
• Show you understand the link between environmental law and human rights, investment law, or trade law, since CIEL works at that intersection.
• Provide a writing sample that shows legal analysis on an international law topic, if possible.
• State clearly that you are available full-time and remote for spring 2027.
• Check CIEL's website for any internship application instructions, deadlines, or required documents before submitting.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your specific interest in international environmental law and human rights law.', 'Any research or writing you have done on international investment law, trade law, or environmental law.', 'How you meet the full-time remote requirement for spring 2027.', "What you hope to learn from CIEL's attorneys and researchers through real-world training."]

Research before applying

• Read CIEL's program areas on its website to see which ones match your interests.
• Look at recent CIEL publications, reports, or legal filings to understand its current work.
• Research the right to a healthy environment and how it is recognized in international law.
• Find out how international investment law and trade law have been used in environmental or human rights cases.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Why you want to intern at CIEL specifically, not just any environmental law organization.
• How you would research a legal question involving both environmental law and human rights law.
• Your understanding of how international investment law or trade law can affect environmental protection.
• A writing or research project you completed and what you learned from it.
• How you manage multiple research tasks and deadlines while working remotely.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending a generic cover letter that does not mention CIEL's work at the intersection of human rights and the environment.
• Ignoring the international law focus and writing only about domestic environmental law.
• Failing to confirm availability for a full-time, remote spring 2027 internship.