About this role
Position Title: Summer Law Student Intern
Location: Berkeley, California (Hybrid).
*PLO operates a hybrid workplace with in-office attendance in Berkeley, CA, required at least two days per full week, including Wednesdays.
Classification: Full-Time/Temporary
Salary: $35/Hour
Application Due: December 4th,2026 at 11:59 PM PT
What We Do
The Prison Law Office is one of the nation’s leading experts in prison conditions litigation, defending the rights of incarcerated people through class action lawsuits, monitoring, and education. In addition to litigation and advocacy, the Prison Law Office works directly with correctional agencies to develop practical, sustainable reforms to improve conditions of confinement for incarcerated people.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of PLO attorneys, Summer Law Student Interns will support the organization's litigation, advocacy, and monitoring efforts to protect and advance the rights of incarcerated people.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct legal research and analysis on issues involving constitutional rights and conditions of confinement.
- Assist attorneys with various phases of litigation, including factual investigations, discovery, and case development, and preparation of legal documents and other advocacy materials.
- Support ongoing monitoring of correctional facilities' compliance with court orders, settlement agreements, and remedial plans.
- Accompany attorneys and other PLO staff on visits to prisons, jails, and other detention facilities, as necessary. Participate in interviews with incarcerated individuals and assist in documenting facility conditions, institutional practices, and potential violations of legal requirements.
- Participate in meetings and discussions with PLO attorneys, investigators, litigation assistants, co-counsel, and other stakeholders to support coordinated litigation and advocacy efforts.
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an accredited law school, with at least two years of law school completed before the start of the internship.
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, social justice, and improving conditions of confinement for incarcerated individuals.
- Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to analyze complex legal issues and communicate findings clearly and effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and respectfully with incarcerated individuals, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive legal and personal information with discretion.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary legal team, while remaining receptive to supervision and constructive feedback.
- Ability to engage professionally and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including people who have experienced incarceration or other forms of systemic disadvantage.
- Willingness to travel to prisons, jails, and other detention facilities as needed to support investigations, client interviews, and monitoring activities.
Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)
- Coursework, clinical experience, or demonstrated interest in constitutional law, civil rights litigation, prisoners' rights, criminal legal system reform, or public interest law.
- Prior experience with legal research, litigation support, advocacy, or work involving historically marginalized communities.
- Familiarity with class action litigation, institutional reform, or conditions-of-confinement issues.
- Proficiency in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), or other languages that support communication with PLO's clients and class members.
Application Instructions
To be considered for the position, please submit the following materials, via BambooHR, by December 4th,2026 at 11:59
PM PT
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Legal writing sample (confidential information should be redacted)
- List of three references
Prison Law Office is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization and community. We can only maintain excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse staff that includes all races, ages, backgrounds, citizenships, national origins, disabilities, gender identities, languages, military experiences, sexual orientations, religions, socioeconomic status, work experiences, and historically excluded communities.
$35.00