2027 California Summer Legal Intern

Trout Unlimited - California 2027 Summer Legal Internship Program

About the Role

Trout Unlimited is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring rivers and streams and their trout and salmon populations. The 2027 Summer Legal Internship Program offers law students supervised experience in legal research and writing related to water and fisheries governance, advocacy, permitting transactions, legislation, and litigation. This internship is for law students dedicated to water conservation and fisheries protection who want to deepen their understanding of water, fisheries, and environmental legal issues in California.

This is an unpaid internship. Interns must secure summer fellowship funding from their law school.

Summer Intern Role & Responsibilities

Summer legal interns will hone legal research and writing skills, learn about Trout Unlimited’s conservation and policy efforts in California, and build professional connections. Interns will work with California's Law and Policy Director on legal research and writing projects relevant to their academic and career goals and aligned with Trout Unlimited's work. Trout Unlimited plans to hire one to two legal interns.

Possible projects may include:

• Legal research and writing in support of Trout Unlimited’s California law and policy team projects and strategic planning.
• Researching current litigation and agency actions in conservation and/or water law.
• Evaluating potential legal solutions to environmental problems.
• Tracking and understanding active bills in the California legislature.
• Researching potential impacts of bills and proposed amendments.
• Briefing the law and policy team and/or partners on current legal and legislative developments.

Program Logistics

• The program is open to law students enrolled in a law school located in California or who intend to practice in California.
• The internship is best suited for students between their 2L and 3L years, but students between their 1L and 2L years may also be considered.
• Interns generally participate for 40 hours per week for 10 weeks.
• Start and end dates are flexible and determined in coordination with each intern.
• Internships are remote.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Applicants must be:

• A law student at a California law school or intend to practice in California.
• Interested in California water, conservation, natural resources, and/or environmental law.
• Capable writers and adept at legal research.
• Excellent communicators.
• Able to work collaboratively.
• Able to secure funding from their law school or another funding source for summer public interest work.
• Able to work remotely and use their own computer during the internship.

Salary

Unpaid