The Position

The National Women’s Law Center (the Center) seeks a law student extern for the spring 2025 semester to support the Center’s housing portfolio. This position sits on the Income Security side of the Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning team. Law students who are available to commit 12 to 15 hours (or more) per week during the fall semester are eligible to apply. This work may be done remotely, hybrid, or in-person. The Center will work with the extern to secure academic credit.

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially women of color, LGBTQ+ people, and low-income women and families.

For more than 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women, and we need you with us to continue this fight.

Extern Duties and Responsibilities

The extern will support advancing gender, racial, and disability justice in housing programs and policies by using a range of advocacy tools and strategies, including researching and writing policy materials for legislative and administrative advocacy. This work includes tracking legislation at a variety of levels of government; attending Congressional proceedings, coalition meetings and policy briefings; and supporting the preparation of NWLC products like factsheets, issue briefs, reports, or comments on proposed federal agency regulations. The extern will also support the Center’s work building support of gender justice organizations to engage in housing policy, including through establishing and nurturing connections between housing work and other issues affecting women such as child care, health care, and more.

This externship will likely not involve litigation activities.

Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a JD program and completion of at least the first year of the program;
• Ability to receive academic credit for the externship;
• Strong research and writing skills, including excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills;
• Experience working on gender justice issues with an intersectional lens;
• Experience or interest in working on housing and broader economic issues;
• Experience or interest in a research, advocacy, or policymaking environment;
• Agility and ability to pivot in response to current events and revised priorities;
• Flexibility, creativity, and initiative along with excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills; and
• A commitment to the mission of the Center, including improving the economic security of low-income women, LGBTQIA+ people, and families.

Key Relations

The extern will report to the Director of Housing Justice and will work under the supervision of the housing legal fellow on several projects (both are licensed attorneys). The extern will also collaborate with the larger Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning team, which includes both attorneys and non-attorneys.

Compensation & Benefits

This externship is unpaid, but the Center will work with the extern to secure academic credit. A stipend of $175 per month will be provided. This position is not eligible for benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A resume, including exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment;
• A cover letter indicating your interest in a housing externship with the Income Security team, when you are available to extern, and how many hours per week you can extern;
• A law school transcript;
• A 5-10 page writing sample (a policy-based writing sample is preferred over a legal brief); and
• Contact information for three (3) references.

Applications accepted until the position is filled.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email NWLCHR@nwlc.org.