Spring Legal Extern, Litigation

Title: Spring Legal Extern, Litigation

Department:  Litigation, U.S. Program Division

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 270+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $60 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world. Our global pro bono network includes over 3,000 lawyers across 6 continents, 88 countries, and 140+ law firms. Last year, law firms contributed over $35 million USD in pro bono legal services. The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to www.reproductiverights.org 

The Job: The Center’s U.S. Litigation Team is looking for an enthusiastic, resourceful, and highly organized legal extern with a commitment to reproductive rights issues to engage in a variety of projects related to litigation, legal strategy development, and long-term theory building. The extern will be immersed in the Center’s dynamic litigation and advocacy work, and have an opportunity to hone their factual and legal research, writing and analysis skills. 

This position is a part-time externship during the spring semester for law school class credit. This position can be remote or based in the Center’s New York City office. 

Primary Responsibilities: The Spring Legal Extern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience with reproductive rights litigation.  The scope of the program will include, but is not limited to: 

• Engaging in legal analyses of state and federal statutes and regulations; 
• Conducting legal and factual research in connection with active and potential litigation; 
• Conducting legal and factual research in connection with long-term development of strategies and theories for use inside and outside the courts; 
• Drafting memos to develop and carry out the Center’s active and potential litigation; 
• Participating in meetings with Center attorneys, clients, and co-counsel; and 
• Contributing to the Center’s strategic thinking and approach to impact litigation.  

Compensation: Spring Legal Externs are not eligible for compensation. The externship must be done for law school credit or external funding. 

How to Apply: To be considered, please include the following materials as attachments: 

Resume 

Cover Letter: Please include a cover letter discussing your qualifications, interest in reproductive rights, and the perspectives and experiences that are important to you and/or relevant to the Center’s work. 

References: Please include two references, including the person’s name, organizational affiliation and title, and contact information.  

Law School Transcript 

Writing Sample 

Priority Deadline for applications: October 13, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.

Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions: Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

• Second or third-year U.S. law student. 
• Interest in reproductive health, rights, and justice; gender justice; and/or other public interest issues. 
• Strong legal research and writing skills. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive equity work and incorporating inclusive equitable principles into legal, programmatic, and partnership work. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the Center as well as with external partners.