Internship: Legal (Fall 2026)

ABOUT NCOSE & INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) exists because people should be free to live and love without sexual abuse and exploitation! If you share this vision and want to help create a culture where all individuals can thrive, then we invite you to join us!  

The Sexual Justice Advocate Internship program enables you to participate in the ongoing work of defending human dignity. Internships offer a unique opportunity to combat sexual abuse and exploitation while gaining new skills through hands-on opportunities that seek to prevent exploitation before it begins. Interns also enjoy abundant opportunities to meet nationally recognized leaders in the field of anti-sexual exploitation and attend education briefings. The program also offers interns an opportunity to investigate their individual strengths and develop new skills.
NCOSE is focused on mass-scale prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and deploys the tactics of corporate advocacy, public policy, civil litigation, and grassroots mobilization to reach this.  Read about some of our recent victories here.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

The NCOSE Law Center, our own in-house embedded litigation law firm, has created and is spearheading the legal strategy and effort to end the sex trade as we know it within the next decade. NCOSE’s Law Center is filing groundbreaking lawsuits, providing critical policy analysis of federal and state legislation, building networks of state-level activists, submitting amicus briefs on potentially precedent-setting cases, as well as training and mentoring the next generation of legal advocates committed to fighting sexual exploiters. Interns with the Law Center will utilize their education and training to participate in this work.

*We are typically inundated with applications. We greatly appreciate your patience as we carefully review each candidate and ask that you hold your questions until contacted for an interview.

TERM: September 2- December 10, 2026; possibility for extension: six months or 1 year

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE*:

Legal interns will work directly with the Law Center team. Interns will be expected to engage in the following activities:

• Assisting in high level and nation-impacting litigation, including drafting pleadings, briefs, demand letters, and appeals.· Researching and drafting policy advocacy documents.


• Meeting with and being by mentored by the General Counsel and other NCOSE attorneys.
  


• Researching and drafting model legislation in connection with sex trafficking, exploitation, prostitution, and pornography.


• Researching legal questions and drafting memoranda for existing and potential cases.

*Tasks may shift based on the organization’s current need and opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

**The legal internship is open to law students ONLY**

• Passionate about opposing sexual exploitation, as well as a passion for NCOSE’s mission, vision and values.


• High levels of initiative, creativity, work ethic, and good judgment.


• Well-organized, self-directed, and able to complete multiple tasks in a timely and efficient manner.


• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.


• A collaborative and team-oriented work ethic.
  


• Has and can bring a working laptop and charger.

BENEFITS:

• Legal interns are offered a small stipend based on their status as in-person or remote.


• Hands-on work with passionate, talented team members.


• Mentorship from some of the movement’s leaders and in-depth 10-week training on various exploitation issues.


• Incredible networking opportunities with movement leaders.


• A creative, collaborative, and inclusive company culture.
  


• Opportunities to develop professionally and uncover skills you didn’t know you had.


• Real-life experiences that will provide you with the confidence to delve into your next adventure.

COMPENSATION:

NCOSE internships are unpaid. However, legal interns are provided a small monthly stipend of $700-$1000 per month.

SCHEDULE:

This position requires 24-40 hours per week. Candidates must be mostly available during NCOSE’s office hours of Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm EST in order to coordinate with the team. Our team is in the office on M, W, & Th and remote on T & F. Evenings and weekends are typically not eligible for a NCOSE internship. 

LOCATION:

This internship is at NCOSE’s office headquarters in Washington, DC.

TO APPLY:

To apply, submit the checklist items and complete the questionnaire.

· Cover Letter describing your interest in a NCOSE Internship

· Resume

· Two Letters of Reference

· Unofficial Transcript

· Writing Sample

Incomplete applications, including those without reference letters, will not be considered. 

----------------------------------------

About the National Center on Sexual Exploitation

Please visit our About Page to learn more.

You can find impact reports from previous years here.