Legal Intern
Legal Intern ( Fall or Spring Semester)
Schedule: Minimum 10 hours/week
Location: Remote
Compensation: Unpaid (extension or fellowship may apply; highly encourage student to see funding through their school)
To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter answering this prompt: If you had the power to redesign the criminal justice system from the ground up, what would be your priorities?
About ROOT Legal:
ROOT (Reclaiming Our Options Together) Legal is a public interest legal non-profit that brings the power of movement lawyering, research, and community.
Our work is grounded in non-carceral principles building community-rooted pathways to accountability, healing, and safety. We partner with people directly impacted by the criminal legal system, especially those labeled as “victims,” to reimagine justice.
ROOT Legal also confronts the devastating impact of court fines, fees on low-income communities, advocating for change while helping individuals navigate and overcome the economic barriers imposed by the system.
ROOT Legal welcomes law students who are curious, motivated, and interested in learning how legal advocacy, and community work can work together to transform outdated systems and support meaningful change. Our approach questions the over reliance on punishment and seeks to explore ways justice can be delivered in ways that address the root causes of harm.
Internship Overview:
- Draft legal documents, including motions
- Assist in reviewing and interpreting court orders, and describe them into plain language for clients.
- Work directly with individuals impacted by the criminal legal system—particularly court-designated “victims”—to help them understand their rights, navigate the system, and pursue community-based solutions.
- Help address financial barriers by supporting efforts to reduce or eliminate court fines, fees
- Collaborate with community organizers, mutual aid groups, and grassroots campaigns to ensure legal strategies align with broader movement goals.
- Participate in and help create info sessions focused on non-carceral justice, the limits of the legal system, and transformative approaches to harm.
- Track court dockets, assist with case timelines, and observe hearings when appropriate.
- Participate in case rounds, strategy sessions, and team debriefs to contribute your perspective and grow your skills in a collaborative, non-hierarchical environment.
- Observe and support in court, helping clients navigate hearings and access services
What We’re Looking For
- Law students (1L–3L) interested in decarceration, restorative/transformative justice, reentry, or public defense
- Strong writing, research, and communication skills
- Comfort engaging with impacted communities with empathy and humility
- Interest in systems change, but grounded in direct service and mutual aid
Ideal Candidates:
- Believes in people’s ability to grow, heal, and repair harm outside of punishment
- Is committed to legal advocacy that centers human dignity, not just procedural outcomes
- Approaches clients with humility, curiosity, and a desire to understand the full context of their experiences
- Understands that laws are not always just—and is interested in working toward more equitable, compassionate applications of the law
- Can translate complex legal ideas into clear, supportive information for people navigating the system
- Thrives in dynamic, non-traditional legal spaces where community needs shape the work
- Students who are grounded in—or open to learning about—abolitionist values and not reinforce carceral frameworks.
Why Join ROOT Legal?
This internship is an opportunity to develop professional skills while contributing to a growing organization working to shift how society responds to harm. You’ll be part of a team that values reflection, systemic thinking, and community leadership. Whether you're considering a future in public interest law, advocacy, or community organizing, ROOT Legal offers a space to learn, grow, and help shape a more compassionate and effective approach to justice.