ASIL Internships

Start Your Career with an ASIL Internship. ASIL offers students opportunities to become involved with its work while learning first-hand about the field of international law. See descriptions below of the specific internship positions available with the Society and how to apply. All positions are based at ASIL's Washington, DC, headquarters and generally require a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and usually more during the summer. All internships are unpaid; however, interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their school. During their internship, participants are encouraged both to attend ASIL events and to take advantage of the plethora of programs in international law and foreign relations that the DC area provides.

Publications Intern

Responsibilities. The intern will assist the editors by performing substantive legal research, proofreading, editing, and bluebooking articles for publication on cutting-edge developments in international law for International Legal Materials (ILM), and ASIL Insights. Depending on the intern’s interest and ability, he or she may be invited to draft Introductory Notes analyzing and providing context to primary source legal documents to appear with their byline in ILM.

Qualifications. This internship is open to second- and third-year law students or recent graduates. Candidates must have journal experience and be familiar with the Bluebook; they must have also completed coursework in legal research, legal writing, and international law. Candidates should possess excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. An interest in international law and foreign relations is preferred, and knowledge of foreign languages is desirable. Interns must be available to work at ASIL headquarters in Washington, DC. A commitment of at least one day per week for the duration of the semester is required, and two days are preferred.

Application. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, references, and a recent writing sample to Attorney-Editor Kathleen Doty at kdoty@asil.org. Please reference “Publications Intern” in the email’s subject line.

Communications and Membership Intern

Responsibilities. Interns will assist the Communications and Membership Department with carrying out the day-to-day duties of this office. Tasks typically include helping to maintain and enhance contact lists; monitoring and recording news coverage of the Society and its members; photographing and writing descriptive captions of ASIL events; assisting with email distribution of news releases and other communiqués; drafting emails to ASIL members and prospective members; drafting summaries and basic news releases; supporting special projects such as member surveys; and assisting with other communications and marketing operations.

Qualifications. Candidates for the Communications and Membership internship should be undergraduate students who possess an interest in international affairs and public relations, excellent written and verbal skills, an outgoing nature, a keen eye for detail, flexibility, and an eagerness to learn. Computer skills should include Word, Outlook, Excel, and Google Apps.

Application. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to Director of Communications and Membership Sheila Ward at sward@asil.org. Please indicate availability, including beginning and end dates and approximate number of hours per week. (A minimum of 15 are required.) Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year until all positions are filled.

Education Programs Intern

Responsibilities. The candidate selected will provide programmatic and administrative assistance in the Office of Research and Education at ASIL’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Duties will include researching and compiling information on U.S. state continuing legal education (CLE) credit procedures; assisting in the preparation of CLE state accreditation applications for upcoming events; assisting with tracking state approvals, data entry, and reporting attendance for accredited events; assisting with preparing and distributing attendance certificates to attendees of approved programs; supporting day-of event procedures; researching and updating international legal fellowship, internship, and pro bono opportunities for the Careers in International Law Guide; and attending policy and informational meetings around DC and providing a de-brief on these meetings.

Qualifications. Candidates for the internship should be undergraduate students who possess an interest in international affairs and public relations, excellent written and verbal skills, an outgoing nature, a keen eye for detail, flexibility, and an eagerness to learn. Computer skills should include Google Apps, Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Applications. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@asil.org. Please reference in the email’s subject line “Program Intern.” Applicants should indicate availability, including beginning and end dates and approximate number of hours per week. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Library Intern 

Responsibilities. The intern will assist the director of publications and information resources in day-to-day operations of the Society’s 20,000-volume deFord Library, including assistance with acquisitions, cataloging, curatorial support, digital initiatives, exhibitions, and reader services. Occasionally, the intern will respond to research requests from the staff and the public and assist users with law library technology. 

Qualifications. This internship is open to students currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited library or information science graduate program. Successful candidates will have some familiarity with library operations; excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy; and excellent writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills. Familiarity with controlled vocabularies and some work experience in a library are preferred. Knowledge of nonprofit organization operations is also desirable.

Application. To apply, please submit a cover letter with resume, references, and writing sample to jobs@asil.org, indicating “Library Intern” in the subject line.