The Open Society Justice Initiative is seeking current law school and other advanced degree graduate students for  Legal Research Internship in the New York or London office. With close supervision by an assigned mentor, interns will learn about the various tools available for researching issues, engaging in oral and written persuasive techniques, and drafting reports and legal memoranda related to human rights-related advocacy in the areas of focus of the Justice Initiative.

The Justice Initiative is an operational program of the Open Society Foundations. Rather than giving grants, the Justice Initiative’s lawyers, advocates, and staff pursue legal work that supports the broader mission and values of Open Society.  The Open Society Justice Initiative uses litigation, advocacy, and legal empowerment to promote and defend justice and human rights. We work with partners around the world to ensure that law—too often an instrument of powerful people alone—is shaped and employed for the benefit of all. Our lawyers have represented scores of individuals and groups before domestic and international courts and tribunals around the world. These cases seek not only to vindicate individual claims but to set precedents to establish and strengthen the law’s protections. Working with partners, we also document violations, propose and pilot solutions, engage policymakers, and draw on our global legal experience so that access to justice can be available to everyone.

Compensation

Open Society will compensate the Legal Research intern at the rate of 18 USD/hour for students based on New York. While the students based in London will receive compensation at the rate of 12 GBP/hour.

Benefits

Legal research interns will receive hands-on training on the various methodologies used by public interest advocacy groups. It will help them foster and encourage reform, inclusion, human rights, and the building of legal capacity for open societies. Further, the interns will be instructed, and receive hands-on training, on many of the broad range of activities involved in effectuating reform, human rights, and the building of legal capacity for open societies. These include the identification of an injustice to be remedied, the formulation of a comprehensive action plan, as well as the research and writing involved in research memoranda, reports and studies associated with a project.

What will the Open Society Legal Research Intern do?

• Draft legal and non-legal reports and memoranda for relevant to projects in our four core thematic areas: accountability, liberty and transparency; criminal justice; equality and inclusion; and rule of law;
• Likewise, conduct all-source research via websites, Lexis/Nexis, foreign source materials, academic studies, oral interviews of experts, legal and political documents, Library of Congress materials, etc;
• Further, attend scheduled staff conference calls and relevant meetings hosted by think tanks, non-governmental organizations, government briefings, etc;
• Assist with the development of web-site and advocacy materials as needed.;
• attend relevant meetings hosted by think tanks and government and non-government agencies

What qualification do you need for Legal Research Internship?

• Currently enrolled in a relevant law school or graduate program
• Likewise, highly motivated and have demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors
• Further, strong communication, interpersonal and computer skills
• Demonstrated ability to write effectively and analyze and summarize complex information
• Desire to function in a team environment
• Ability to multi-task while remaining attentive to detail.
• Also, the ability to effectively manage to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Troubleshoot as well as follow projects through to completion, with strict deadlines and without loss of attention to detail, budget, and reporting.

How to apply for the Open Society Legal Research Internship?

Candidates may apply for the Legal Research Internship at Open Society Foundation by completing and submitting the online application form. Moreover, the candidates will also require to provide necessary documents including:

• Proof of current enrollment
• A cover letter
• A CV
• Letter of Recommendation

Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Legal Research Internship at Open Society Foundation is on 22 August 2019. Open Society Foundation will not entertain applications arriving after the deadline.