PARTNER POSTING | Law Clerk Internship – LCV

Read the full internship posting and details at https://www.lcv.org/careers/internship-opportunities/law-clerk/

General Description:

LCV believes our earth is worth fighting for because everyone has a right to clean air, water, and a safe, healthy community. To ensure those rights are protected, we help people use their power to shape policy, hold politicians and polluters accountable, and influence elections. For more than 50 years, LCV has grown into a potent political force for protecting our planet and everyone who inhabits it. We have built a powerful national movement with 30 state affiliates, and grassroots and community organizing programs across the country.

LCV is seeking a Law Clerk who will support the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel in a variety of issue areas. The Legal & Strategic Initiatives department, which serves as in-house general counsel to the organization, consists of three attorneys and advises on a wide variety of legal matters. The department specializes in advising the LCV family of organizations (a 501(c)(4), 501(c)(3), and several PACs) on their advocacy, electoral, and civic engagement activities, as well as legal compliance and risk management in their operations and employment practices. Key practice areas include federal and state election law, nonprofit tax law and governance, ethics and gift rules, contracts, employment and labor law, intellectual property, telecommunications, data and cybersecurity. Please note that the work of the Legal & Strategic Initiatives department generally does not involve environmental law issues.

The Law Clerk will gain experience working in an issue advocacy nonprofit organization, and a greater understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of serving as in-house counsel for a complex family of organizations. The Law Clerk will work primarily with the attorneys in the Legal & Strategic Initiatives department, but may also work cross-departmentally with staff in other departments on specific assignments. The Law Clerk will primarily engage in legal research, writing and analysis of varying levels of formality and complexity, including analyzing legislation and litigation impacting LCV’s activities or operations. The Law Clerk will also be asked to prepare guidance documents on legal issues for non-legal staff, and/or to assist in preparing and conducting training for non-legal staff.

Law Clerk Will Gain Experience in:

• Federal and state election and campaign finance law.
• Nonprofit tax law, federal and state lobbying and ethics rules, and other laws applicable to nonprofit organizations and advocacy activities.
• Contract review, drafting and negotiation.
• Employment and labor law issues, including operation of a collective bargaining agreement.
• Rapidly developing legal issues in telecommunications, data and cybersecurity, and other areas.
• Analyzing recent or pending legislation and litigation.
• Conducting complex legal research, writing and analysis to address live questions presented for the organization.
• Developing guidance on legal topics for non-attorney staff members.
• Supporting the department’s efforts to provide legal services more equitably and inclusively to all staff.

Qualifications:

• Education: 1-2 years of law school with strong academic performance.
• Work Experience: Preferred – Prior internship or work experience with a nonprofit organization, government agency, law firm, or political campaign.
• Skills: Highly organized; strong attention to detail; excellent written and oral communications skills; strong legal research, writing, and analysis skills; exhibits solid judgment; critical thinking skills; able to work independently and as a team; able to handle multiple tasks; self-starter; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Westlaw; ability to explain legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Cultural Competence: Shares our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization and within the legal sector more broadly, integrating racial justice and equity into the work we do, and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture. Commitment to environmental protection and mission of LCV.
• Conditions: The location of this position is flexible. Applicants need to be located in and be legally authorized to work in the United States. Please note that most LCV staff and all interns are currently working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To Apply: Send a cover letter in which you specify the program structure that you prefer (Part-time or Full-time Internship, or Externship for academic credits), and your resume to hr@lcv.org with “Law Clerk” in the subject line no later than October 24, 2021. No phone calls, please.

LCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected status. LCV is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact hr@lcv.org.