Strategic Litigation and Advocacy Intern, Summer 2026
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.
Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR seeks a Strategic Litigation and Advocacy Intern.
Location: Remote (New York, New York optional)
Reports to: Legal Fellow
Organizational Overview
Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.
PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of human rights abuses around the world. The intern will join the team that takes PHR’s research and translates it into legal advocacy. PHR has brought its expertise to some of the country’s most pressing human rights issues, including the use of crowd-control weapons against protesters, the health impacts of abortion bans, the rights of asylum seekers, and the impact of funding cuts to global health initiatives.
Internship Description
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is looking for a capable and enthusiastic intern wishing to gain direct experience in strategic litigation and legislative advocacy in the human rights space. This intern will work closely with the PHR legal and advocacy team in developing amicus briefs, preparing expert witness statements, attending advocacy meetings, and monitoring PHR’s litigation docket. The intern will also collaborate on legislative advocacy including drafting talking points and tracking legislation that impacts PHR’s areas of focus.
This internship is ideal for a law student interested in a career in human rights or humanitarian advocacy. You will be given exposure to a variety of PHR’s domestic legal advocacy efforts.
The strategic litigation and advocacy intern will attend departmental and staff meetings, as well as regular learning and social events with other interns and staff from PHR to round out the learning experience and complement PHR-provided career mentoring.
This position is remote, with the option for the intern to come into the office at PHR headquarters in New York City should they choose.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Contributing to the research and drafting of amicus briefs, tracking and supporting advocacy around key legislation and resolutions, and drafting other advocacy materials as needed
- Updating PHR’s strategic litigation tracker and monitoring ongoing cases
- Contributing to the development of PHR’s strategic litigation by seeking upcoming opportunities for PHR to provide support through its research
- Contributing to PHR’s legislative advocacy through drafting talking points and summaries of PHR’s research for elected officials
- Tracking state and federal legislation that impacts PHR’s areas of focus
- Assisting with general program and administrative work, including meeting preparations, background research, data entry, and internal reporting.
Qualifications and Experience
- The internship is open only to students enrolled at U.S. law schools who will have completed at least one year of law school before the internship commences
- Previous experiences in civil rights, reproductive rights, and immigrant rights or related field with policy or advocacy, through coursework, volunteer, or professional experience at local, national, or international level strongly desirable
- Strong written and verbal communications skills required, including excellent editing skills
- Excellent research and analytical skills required
- Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with PHR staff and external partners
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights
- Mature judgment, strong integrity, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality when required
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
Location and Hours
- We welcome applications from candidates located out of state.
- The intern should anticipate working approximately 35-40 hours per week.
- The internship will commence in June with at least a 12-week commitment.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume, and three references to resumes@phr.org. Include “Strategic Litigation and Advocacy Intern, Summer 2026” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter the number of weekly hours you would be able to commit to the internship.