IDRA Summer 2026 Education Law Clerk

IDRA Summer 2026 Education Law Clerk Application

IDRA is an independent, national, non-profit organization led by Celina Moreno, J.D. For over 50 years, IDRA has advocated educational justice through legal and policy advocacy, research, community engagement, and student and educator leadership development. Our mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college. 

About the Education Law Clerkship 

IDRA’s Education Law Clerk program is designed for law students passionate about educational equity, civil rights and movement lawyering. Law clerks will gain hands-on experience working within an interdisciplinary team committed to protecting and advancing the rights of students and families in public schools across the U.S. South. 

The education law clerkship is designed for law students currently pursuing a J.D. (or equivalent) and capable of doing staff-level work under minimal supervision. 

Education law clerks support the work of IDRA’s legal and policy, advocacy and community engagement teams. Under the supervision of the Chief Legal Analyst and other legal team members, law clerks may: 

• Research and draft analyses of developments in education law 

• Assist with preparing amicus briefs, legal advocacy letters and other legal communications 

• Participate in internal and external strategy sessions for civil rights litigation 

• Support the drafting of legal complaints related to education equity 

• Contribute to investigations of civil rights concerns in K–12 and higher education 

• Conduct research related to school discipline, censorship, immigrant student rights, harassment and bullying, and other civil rights issues 

• Assist with advocacy projects, policy review and community engagement efforts 

• Participate in team meetings, strategy discussions and project planning 

• Complete administrative or project coordination tasks as needed 

Project assignments are matched to the clerk’s strengths, interests and academic goals, as well as IDRA’s ongoing legal needs. 

Areas of Special Interest 

IDRA is particularly interested in applicants with experience or interest in: 

• Movement and community lawyering 

• School funding and legal issues relating to school privatization  

• School discipline and school safety 

• Identity-based bullying and harassment 

• Immigrant student rights 

• Censorship in K–12 and higher education 

• Civil rights and education justice advocacy 

Ideal Candidate Traits 

• Authentic connection to and compassion for communities and student populations IDRA serves 

• A demonstrated commitment to equity in education and civil rights 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Strong time management and ability to multi-task 

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality 

• Ability to work independently and in a team setting 

• Curiosity and passion about education law and policy issues  

• Self-motivation, reliability and strong ethical judgment 

• Ability to present oneself professionally 

The 2026 summer education law clerkship will begin in early June and operate remotely for 10 weeks and 20-35 hours per week. Dates and hours are flexible and based on an individual’s needs. 

In addition to work projects and learning, IDRA’s summer clerkship program will include experiential learning connected to critical work and practice, lunch and learns, social networking, access to a post-clerkship network and a culminating project presentation. 

Compensation 

Education law clerks may be paid up to $25 per hour and are also strongly encouraged to seek funding from school or external public interest fellowship programs or academic credit. A student’s willingness to seek external funding or academic credit for the experience may be taken into consideration in the hiring process.   

IDRA is an equal opportunity employer. Please email Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., ([email protected]) or Claribel Tirú ([email protected]) if you have any further questions concerning IDRA's education law clerk program.