Policy Intern - Fall 2025

The Council for Court Excellence (CCE) is a non-profit organization that brings people together to conduct research, educate, and advocate to make D.C.’s unique legal systems more just, equitable, and accountable to the community. We envision a D.C. where individuals, organizations, and government work together to build safe and thriving communities with a trusted legal system that meets the needs of its people, protects their rights, and promotes dignity and justice for all.

The CCE internship program provides a unique opportunity for graduate or law students to contribute directly and tangibly to District-wide justice reform. Ideal candidates will be passionate about systemic change within the justice system, access to justice, and policymaking, and must have outstanding research, analysis, and writing skills.  

General Responsibilities  

Interns at the Council for Court Excellence will participate in justice reform efforts that directly impact the DC community. Interns conduct policy research and analysis, draft internal and external documents; provide project support; and participate in community relations. Specifically, interns can expect to:

• Attend D.C. Council hearings, briefings, and other events pertaining to CCE’s policy interests;
• Conduct primary and secondary research and analysis related to the D.C. justice system, including its local and federal elements and the policies, practices, and problems of its associated agencies;
• Assist with drafting documents pertaining to criminal and youth justice, including fact sheets, policy briefs and educational guides to increase community understanding of justice systems;
• Provide substantive and logistical assistance to the various project committees through attending and taking notes on meetings, researching project leads, and compiling and analyzing data; and
• Assist with presentations, report release events and other special events as needed.  

Graduate and law students are eligible for the Policy Internship (undergraduates are encouraged to apply to our Justice Education Internship). Applicants should have a background and interest in one or more of the following areas: public policy and administration; related social sciences such as criminology, public health, and sociology; courts and the law, and/or civic engagement and public education.  Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

For students who are not receiving course credit or other funding for their internship, CCE will provide a stipend commensurate with hours worked (for example, $2,000 per semester for 20 hours per week). CCE also covers public transportation costs to and from required meetings or events.  

Availability  

Applicants must be able to work in a hybrid work environment where they regularly will be expected to attend meetings and events in Washington, D.C. Internships for Fall and Spring Semester 2025 are generally 20 hours per week, but other hours may also be considered. For best placement results, please apply before the priority closing deadline listed below for each semester.

Application Procedure and Deadline

Prospective interns should submit one PDF document under the "resume" field containing all of the following: a cover letter indicating interest and your dates and hours per week of availability, a résumé, and a brief writing sample on any topic (no more than three pages). If you need to create or combine PDFs and do not have access to Adobe Acrobat, consider using the website ILovePDF.com. 

Priority Application deadlines:

• Fall – August 1
• Spring – November 1
• Summer – April 1

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.