CLF seeks law students for the fall or winter 2024 term or the spring 2025 term who are interested in dedicating all or a significant portion of an academic term to advance cutting edge legal strategies and policy solutions.

CLF’s legal interns are paired with an experienced attorney in one of our seven program areas focusing on clean energy and climate change; clean air and water; ocean conservation; strategic litigation; zero waste; community resilience; or transportation and environmental justice. Over the course of the term, interns support CLF’s mission by researching legal issues and drafting documents ranging from internal strategy memos to public comments and portions of motions and briefs. Interns may also have the opportunity to meet with state and federal agency officials and work with other environmental organizations, local activist groups, and environmental justice communities in New England.

CLF’s fall, winter, and spring internships and externships may be either full-time or part-time.

Part-time internships/externships require a commitment of at least two full days per week for at least 9 weeks.

Full-time internships/externships require at least 35 hours per week for at least 9 weeks. Externships do not provide a stipend and are available for those who are either receiving academic credit or are fulfilling an academic requirement. Internships that do not provide any academic credit or fulfill any academic requirement will receive a stipend.

Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders—in state houses, courts and board rooms, regulatory hearings and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF works with communities of color, and also with communities that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately the impacts of environmental degradation and frequently have access to fewer environmental benefits. CLF is committed to representing New England’s diversity in our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership, and to creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply.

Rolling acceptance of applications continues year-round, but an application must be received at least one month before the prospective start date of the internship. Start and end dates are flexible, with a fall internship typically beginning the last week of August, a winter internship typically beginning in November, and a spring internship typically beginning at the end of January. As hiring decisions are made on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as far in advance as possible.

A complete application consists of the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Contact information for 1 reference
• Law School transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
• Writing sample of at least five pages demonstrating legal analysis
• Your cover letter should state which term you are applying for: “[Fall, Winter, or Spring] Legal Internship.”
• Your cover letter should indicate (i) whether you are seeking a full-time or part-time internship, (ii) whether you would be receiving academic credit or fulfilling an academic requirement with your internship, and (iii) the CLF office(s) that you are applying to.

Only online applications will be accepted. 

CLF considers the health and safety of its staff members and their families, our guests, our visitors, and the community at large to be a top priority. All offers to work, intern, or volunteer with CLF are conditioned on the candidate complying with CLF’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Please address your application to the Boston Intern Committee.