About FIRE: 

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’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. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Position Description: 

FIRE is searching for a Campus Advocacy Legal Intern. FIRE’s Campus Advocacy departments — including our Campus Rights Advocacy team, Student Press Freedom Initiative, and Policy Reform team — engage in non-litigation legal and public advocacy on free speech issues at colleges and universities nationwide. This is a paid opportunity offering a $7,000 stipend for a 10-week program that runs from June through August ideally in our Philadelphia office. The Campus Advocacy Intern will:

• Draft and review of letters and blog posts defending First Amendment rights and/or advocating a culture of free speech.
• Assist with research projects to identify potential advocacy targets.
• Assist with investigating campus free expression matters, policies, or issues of interest to the departments, including collection and review of documentation.
• Draft correspondence with students, faculty, and administrators with the objective of revising their college’s speech codes.
• Attend and take notes on virtual webinars and meetings concerning free speech issues;
• Have the opportunity to contribute to FIRE’s Newsdesk.
• Participate in seminars with FIRE’s leadership and other experts on civil liberties.

In their role within FIRE’s Campus Advocacy departments, the Campus Advocacy Legal Intern will also have the opportunity to collaborate with FIRE’s Communications, Strategic Partnerships, and Engagement & Mobilization teams to help advance FIRE’s mission to defend freedom of speech, expression, and thought.

Desired Skills:

To qualify for FIRE’s Campus Advocacy Legal Internship, candidates must be rising 2Ls or rising 3Ls. Candidates must have excellent academic credentials, a passion for FIRE’s mission, and an ability to articulate that passion in a way that makes others enthusiastic about our cause. A successful candidate will be highly organized, conscientious, communicate effectively, possess exceptional research and writing skills, and have a strong work ethic.

Applicants should provide a resume, cover letter, and a writing sample or other demonstration of work. All applications are confidential. Please address applications to Cait Scanlan, Director of People Operations. Applications will be received on a rolling basis. 

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer.