Summer 2026 Partnerships & Organizing InternshipPracticum

ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence especially in communities of color. ACDs foundation of civil and criminal legal representation social services impact litigation policy and media advocacy and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

ArchCity Defenders envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being health and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities thriving regardless of their race or income.

ArchCity Defenders is working on broad-based change to the St. Louis regions criminal legal system. One way we advance this agenda is through the use of impact litigation. To effectively argue civil rights impact cases it is necessary to have extensive knowledge of legal precedents state and federal statutes and county and municipal ordinances.

Although impact litigation has become one effectivetool for change ArchCity Defenders remains dedicated to representing our clients and changing the lives of our clients on an individual basis. To this end we provide direct representation in housing consumer family criminal municipal and other areas of the law.

ACDs Partnerships & Organizing Team (formerly Community Collaborations) assists people directly impacted by systems of oppression to get civically engaged through political education and organizing and seeks an intern or practicum student with an enthusiastic desire to assist and serve others. A successful intern or practicum student needs to be assertive independent persistent empathetic proactive and flexible. They will need to take initiative use problem-solving skills see projects through to completion and become a strong advocate for themselves and others. Helpful skill sets would be prior organizing experience graphic design and / or administration skills.

Please note that this internship may require hours that include nights and / or weekends.

Responsibilities :

• Conduct one-on-one interviews with impacted people
• Assist in coordinating one-on-one meetings with elected officials
• Participate in or facilitate political education training
• Assist with planning and content and / or the facilitation of Movement meetings Townhalls or other group meetings
• Assisting with planning and content of Campaign / Movement Member Kickbacks
• Participate in plan and / or facilitate community canvassing
• Participate in plan and / or facilitate community outreach events
• Engage in phone and text banking
• Planning / Facilitation of prep meetings for those testifying at BOA committee meetings
• Attending Board of E&A and Board of Aldermen meetings note-taking and report-backs
• Attend strategy and organizing meetings as assigned
• Support the mission of ACD and work with staff to support that mission through social work services
• Any other duties as assigned to help the team do its best work

Qualifications :

The Summer 2026 internship cohort will work alongside ACD staff members in our new headquarters at the Northside Movement Center in St. Louis. It is an exciting time to join our team. The interns will have opportunities to interact with community partners clients and the community to attend legal and organizing skill training sessions to participate in community events have small group learning opportunities and more.

Important Internship Information :

Cover Letter & Writing Sample Submission Instructions :

Required Experience :

Intern

Key Skills

Microsoft Office,Public Relations,Google Docs,Data Collection,MailChimp,Microsoft Word,Dermal Fillers,Microsoft Powerpoint,Research Experience,Microsoft Excel,Adobe Photoshop,Writing Skills

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1