Office of the General Counsel Externship [For-Credit] – Spring/Summer 2027

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

Application Deadline: 

• Application submissions for Office of the General Counsel  Externship – Spring or Summer 2027  will close on Sunday, October 18th  at 11:59pm ET.

Program Duration: 

•  Externs work from January 11th, 2027 - May 7, 2027 or May 10, 2027 - August 13, 2027 (dates may be flexible depending on school requirements)

Legal externs are vital contributors to the work of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”). The OGC is responsible for providing high-quality, cost-efficient, legal and related services to our NPR clients to achieve its mission of service to the public.

The legal team at NPR supports divisions across the organization on issues such as commercial and contract law; nonprofit tax; governance; technology (including software licensing, satellite distribution, and artificial intelligence); intellectual property (including music rights, content licensing, copyright, and trademark); FCC and other regulatory matters; First Amendment; and employment and labor (including Title VII, labor relations and employment law).

NPR offers legal externships throughout the year.  Course credit may be obtained by arrangement with individual law schools.  During the summer, law clerks are expected to work full-time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks.  Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15-20 hours per week) or a full-time schedule. Fall and Spring externships must be for course credit. 

Responsibilities

• Legal externs should be prepared to contribute across all practice areas.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda, contracts, and other legal documents. 
• Participate in client meetings, training, legislative and regulatory meetings.
• Observe  legal proceedings and attend legal training sessions offered through the District of Columbia Bar Association or other local organizations.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant background experience and strong academic credentials.
• Legal research and writing skills.
• Demonstrated interest in media, technology and/or non profit fields, by participating in relevant school activities, clinics and/or prior legal positions in applicable industries.

Education Requirements

• Must be a current student in an accredited law degree program (1L, 2L, 3L or LLM).

Work Location & Requirements

• NPR Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.

Job Type

• This is a for credit, or stipend-eligible temporary externship.. 

Compensation

Course Credit: This externship is designed to be a learning experience for law students for which school credit must be obtained. Applicants must be able to comply with their school’s requirements for academic credit.

School-sponsored Stipends: During the summer, this externship may alternately be compensated through a program in which the student receives a stipend from their school for non-profit work

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

Please include the following to be considered:

• your resume
• your cover letter
• a copy of your unofficial law school transcript

#LI-Remote

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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