The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is seeking a team of highly motivated law interns!

This is a semester-long (10 weeks for summer session) hybrid internship. Legal interns will gain first-hand experience developing CRT and intersectional knowledge production, applying CRT and intersectionality to real-world law and policy applications, and gaining insight into connecting research and policy analysis with on-the-ground organizing. Legal interns will work full time (35-40 hrs/wk) in summer session and part time (15-20 hrs/wk) in fall and spring sessions. Due to the remote nature of this opportunity, interns must have their own computer and internet access. Hourly compensation, commensurate with experience, will be offered.

Must be a law student who has completed their first year of law school, or a student pursuing their LLM to be eligible.

About AAPF

Founded in 1996, The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative think tank that connects academics, activists, and policy makers to promote efforts to dismantle structural inequality. We utilize new ideas and innovative perspectives to transform public discourse and policy. We promote frameworks and strategies that address a vision of racial justice that embraces the intersections of race, gender, class, and the array of barriers that disempower those who are marginalized in society. AAPF is dedicated to advancing and expanding racial justice, gender equality, and the indivisibility of all human rights, both in the U.S. and internationally.

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About AAPF’s CRT Legal Internship Program

At AAPF, we say that if you can’t name a problem, you can’t fix it. That is the lesson of intersectionality, but more broadly, it is a message that has assumed renewed importance in the face of ongoing efforts to legislate anti-racist ideas out of the public arena. We know that without the conceptual tools to understand how racial and other inequalities are institutionally embedded and reproduced, future generations will be left without the means or the public will to address our unique legacies. Legal interns will play an integral role in putting CRT and intersectionality in action, and advancing their fundamental tenets in public discourse. Legal interns will work closely with members of the AAPF team in the implementation of critical race and intersectional frameworks. AAPF is committed to providing a substantive experience for law students with strong research and writing skills and a grounded understanding of CRT and Intersectionality.

 

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting legal research and analysis for various ongoing AAPF projects including the #TruthBeTold campaign, #SayHerName campaign, Under the Blacklight series, AAPF blog and statements, and other AAPF programming;

• Tracking and analyzing local, state, and federal anti-CRT legislation, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and legislation that indirectly/directly impacts and targets Black women, girls, and femmes; 

• Writing legal and legislative analysis in the form of white papers, toolkits, presentations, policy recommendations, and legal memos;

• Preparing communications, such as memos, emails, newsletters, reports, and other correspondence;

• Supporting the Executive Director and other leadership for various projects such as speech writing, media appearance preparation, op-eds, and forthcoming books;

• Full participation in brainstorming sessions with the AAPF team;

• Contributing to the success of AAPF’s Critical Race Theory Summer School; 

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The Ideal Candidate should have:

• Scholarly understanding of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality

• Familiarity with Kimberlé Crenshaw's work

• Familiarity with AAPF’s programs and initiatives

• A legal background

• An ability to interpret and analyze legislation 

• Insight and understanding of the CRT disinformation campaign and its metastasization

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritizing skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and legislative tracking software

• Proven experience in multidisciplinary research

• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a dynamic environment

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Submission Instructions:

Must be a law student who has completed their first year of law school, or a student pursuing their LLM to be eligible. Eligible candidates should access the application here. You will be prompted to provide your cover letter, a relevant writing sample of 3-5 pages that highlights your CRT and/or intersectional understanding, a 250-word statement as to why you are interested in the work, and two personal references. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview. 

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Please feel free to circulate this description and application to your networks!

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AAPF recognizes that, in particular, members of underrepresented groups may not apply for roles when they feel they do not meet the requirements in full. We encourage interested applicants to apply if they meet most of the qualifications listed in this posting.

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AAPF is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workplace that strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. AAPF does not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination with respect to race, religion, color, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), age, physical, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal laws.

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