What are the responsibilities and job description for the Law Clerk for Fall 2026 position at The Second Look Project?
The Second Look Project (SLP) is accepting applications from current law students who are passionate about protecting the rights of people serving extreme sentences and are interested in spending their spring semester or summer working on post-conviction litigation.
About SLP: SLP is a 501(c)3 organization founded to provide advocacy and legal support for individuals given extreme sentences as youth in the District of Columbia. Our work is focused on those who are eligible for sentence reductions under D.C.’s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) and Compassionate Release laws. We provide direct representation to individuals seeking relief, as well as institutional advocacy, training, and litigation support for court-appointed and pro bono attorneys handling these cases. Information about SLP is available at www.secondlookdc.org.
Law clerks at SLP will participate in all aspects of our litigation and advocacy. This may include drafting briefs, conducting legal research, preparing legal memoranda, drafting letters to clients, and interviewing clients and witnesses.
Qualifications: Candidates must have a clear commitment to criminal justice and/or social justice issues. Applicants must be strong legal writers, clear communicators, and team players. They must work effectively and respectfully with indigent clients, including clients convicted of serious violent offenses and those experiencing mental illness, trauma, and poverty. Candidates should be local to Washington, D.C.
How to Apply: Students interested in this opportunity should submit a cover letter specifying why you are drawn to this work, resume, brief writing sample (preferably a legal brief or memorandum that has not been edited by others), and two professional references in a single consolidated PDF to info@secondlookdc.org. Please label your application: Last name, First name – Fall 2026 Law Clerk Application. In the subject line of your email, please indicate which internship you are applying for (i.e., John Doe_Fall 2026 Law Clerk Application). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity: SLP is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA people, directly impacted individuals, and people from other historically disenfranchised communities. We will work with applicants to secure funding, either through law school programs or other third parties that provide public interest funding.