National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) 

NCYL is a national nonprofit that puts children — especially those pushed to society’s margins — at the center of every fight for justice. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with young people, families, and communities in efforts to dismantle racism, discrimination, and inequity wherever they appear. We recognize that harmful policies don’t affect children in isolation. Each young person’s well-being depends on their family’s stability, their community’s resources, and the opportunities they can access. By working across all systems that shape young people’s lives in a rapidly evolving society, we advance solutions that are holistic, intersectional, and transformative. 

The Position

NCYL is inviting graduate students in law or policy to learn and have the opportunity to support its work in the summer of 2026. We have learning opportunities available on the following teams:

• Education Team: law students, policy students
• Immigration Team: law students
• Litigation Team: law students

These are volunteer positions and will be remote. 

Essential Functions 

All law and policy clerks will learn NCYL’s work through research and writing and assist with other tasks as assigned.

The Education Law Clerk will:

• Learn to support initiatives to protect access to public education and enforce education civil rights, including through the work of the Education Civil Rights Alliance and NCYL’s Education Defense Fund.  
• Learn and have the opportunity to help with the rollout and implementation phase of a project that will share model legislation and policies for states to improve enforcement of civil rights for students. 

The Education Policy Clerk will:

• Learn and support ongoing research regarding funding equity in schools and help develop a model for a data infrastructure that more effectively captures violations of students’ civil rights.

The Immigration Law Clerk will:

• Learn and have the opportunity to support NCYL’s advocacy for immigrant youth, including the cases of Angelica S. v. HHS and L.G.L.M. v. Noem. 
• Learn and have the opportunity to conduct legal and factual research, writing, and other tasks as assigned. 

The Litigation Law Clerk will:

• Learn and have the opportunity to support litigation across all of NCYL’s areas of focus through legal research, writing, and other tasks as assigned. 
• Have the opportunity to support cases at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation legal and factual research, active litigation, and implementation of settlement agreements. 

Qualifications 

• Rising second- (2L) or third-year (3L) law student or, for the Education Policy Clerk, graduate student in relevant policy program as of Summer 2026 
• Knowledge, understanding of, and commitment to NCYL’s mission  
• Experience and/or interest in current issues impacting children and youth. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion  
• Cultural competency working with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and complete multiple projects  
• Excellent research and writing skills 
• Excellent communication skills  

Stipend 

NCYL will ensure summer clerks receive $7,500.00 to help with cost-of-living during the summer by supplementing funds clerks raise from their college, university, law school, or other sources. Clerks are expected to apply for, secure, and submit documentation regarding all funding for which they are eligible. NCYL will not provide supplemental funding for students who are receiving academic credit for their efforts at NCYL.

Note to colleges, universities and law schools: NCYL will not provide supplemental funding to students who fail to receive the same summer funding available to students volunteering, interning or clerking at institutions that do not provide any summer funding. This means that, if a student does not apply for available funds from their institution or another source, NCYL will not supply funding. The student may apply but get turned down; once proof of application is supplied, NCYL will likely provide the stipend.

How To Apply 

No longer accepting applications.

Applicants who meet the above criteria with lived experience in any of our practice areas are strongly encouraged to apply. 

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, reproductive health decision-making, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.