The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of human rights and the environment. CIEL is comprised of attorneys, campaigners, researchers, and communicators who have extensive experience in leading international strategies to advance everyone’s right to a healthy environment. Many of our program areas explore innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, including in their direct link with other international legal fields, such as international investment law or international trade law.
Our legal internship program offers a unique opportunity for law students to develop skills in the field of international environmental law, and using legal strategies to protect human rights and the environment. Learning from and supervised by a diverse staff of experts and attorneys, internships offer insight into innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, by honing thoughtful and creative research and analysis. Offering this internship is central to CIEL’s mission of developing the next generation of environmental leaders and lawyers through real-world training and practice.
Responsibilities of a legal intern may include researching and writing about areas of domestic and international law, including environmental and human rights law, international investment law, and international trade law and policy; assisting with policy analysis and advocacy; attending meetings and conferences; assisting with the production of CIEL publications, legal opinions and legal briefs; support in the preparation of amicus curiae before international tribunals and otherwise working closely with CIEL staff on various projects. Successful applicants generally possess excellent research and writing skills and a strong dedication to public interest law.
Stipend:
A monthly stipend is available for any intern eligible to receive it under the rules applied by their jurisdiction and educational institution. The basic stipend is $2,600 per month for a full-time internship in Washington, DC. For less than full-time internships, the stipend is prorated according to the intern’s approximate level of time commitment to CIEL. Stipends are intended to make the CIEL internship more readily available to aspiring professionals, and are not intended to provide compensation, create a legal or employment relationship between the intern and CIEL, or otherwise modify the legal nature of the internship program.
Requirements:
Applicants should be enrolled in a course of study leading to a postgraduate law degree (JD, LLM) or similar professional qualification for the duration of the internship. We cannot accept recent graduates.
Applicants must possess some experience with international environmental or human rights law, either through graduate-level courses or work experience.
Applicants must be willing to make a ten-week commitment of 15 hours/week.
To Apply:
To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample (please,
no legal memos - see FAQ below for more information
). Please not send transcripts.
Application Deadline:
Spring 2027 US Internship Application Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026.
FAQ:
May I undertake my internship remotely?
All CIEL legal internships may be carried out remotely. Please note that we can only consider applicants for this US internship who will carry out their internship while physically residing in the United States. Remote work from other countries cannot be accommodated.
What time period does the spring session cover?
Roughly January through May, although we can be flexible regarding starting and ending dates.
What should I submit as a writing sample?
Feel free to submit something that you feel demonstrates your writing ability. This can include undergraduate work. Please avoid 1L legal writing memos if possible.
May I apply to both offices?
You may apply to both our Geneva and Washington, DC offices. Applying for internships with our Geneva office is a separate process, please see that
application page
.
Will CIEL sponsor a visa for me?
CIEL in the United States is unable to sponsor visas. For non-US citizens, you must be a currently enrolled student in the US and would undertake your internship as part of your university-sponsored student visa.
Does CIEL offer internships to college students?
We're sorry, but due to the nature of our work CIEL cannot offer undergraduate internships at this time.
If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact
[email protected]
.