Research Intern - Project on Criminal Justice
To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application.
About the Role
This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Project on Criminal Justice, working with scholars including Matthew Cavedon, Clark Neily, and James Craven. The team focuses on unconstitutional overcriminalization, police and prosecutorial accountability, and reforming plea-driven mass adjudication.
You’ll research and draft materials that support amicus efforts, policy outreach, and public writing. You'll synthesize case law and scholarship, monitor developments in courts and legislatures, and produce clear briefs and memos in defense of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
Responsibilities
- Perform literature reviews.
- Regular fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts.
- Attend and provide reports on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences.
Qualifications
- Current law student (JD candidate) or JD required.
- Strong legal research and writing; clear synthesis of cases and statutes with precise, publication-quality citations.
- Demonstrated interest in US criminal justice reform (e.g., overcriminalization, plea bargaining, police and prosecutor accountability); alignment with Cato’s mission.
- Familiarity with appellate practice and docket management; ability to summarize cert petitions, merits briefs, and rulings for non-specialist audiences.
- Proficiency with legal research tools and meticulous source verification/cite-checking.
- Professional judgment and reliability—meet deadlines, communicate proactively, and manage sensitive matters discreetly.
The Cato Internship Program
Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.”
All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks.
Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.
For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.