Law Student Intern - Summer 2026

Who We Are

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.

We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. In light of this reality, we prioritize awareness and proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects.

Internship Locations

• New York, NY
• Washington, DC
• Chicago, IL
• Atlanta, GA
• Dallas, TX
• Los Angeles, CA

Responsibilities

Summer interns primarily assist attorneys with litigation and policy tasks. This may include legislative research and tracking, investigation, research and drafting in ongoing cases, prospective cases, and amicus curiae briefs, in all areas of sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV discrimination. Interns may also research, draft, and / or edit publications on these issues for public education and may assist in maintenance and expansion of resources for our national legal Help Desk.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment and to contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Interning at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that Lambda Legal serves.

Due to the focused and challenging nature of the work Lambda Legal does, we prefer to hire law students who have some experience with issues relating to our mission. Thus, a background in or familiarity with issues important to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and those living with HIV will greatly strengthen an application. Commitment to public interest law also greatly strengthens an application. Considering the amount of independent work required, second- and third-year students are preferred. Lambda Legal encourages applications from people of color and people with disabilities, including HIV.

Compensation

Because we have limited resources, Lambda Legal requires applicants to make diligent efforts to secure summer funding from their law schools. However, to ensure that economic barriers do not dissuade talented applicants, Lambda Legal is prepared to provide compensation for students for whom funding is not available. If you are not able to get funding from your school, or your school provides funding at a lesser amount, we will provide you with summer funding or will supplement your school's funding. Selected students will receive more information about this process after receiving notice of their acceptance.

Application

Students interested in summer internships should apply beginning in the Fall. We begin hiring as the applicant pool allows and continue until all spaces are filled.

Read more about Lambda Legal's work on our blog and Instagram.

Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.