Policy Intern - Family Formation & Protection Law

Job Title: Policy Intern – Family Formation & Protection Law 

Location: Remote, U.S.  

Reporting to: Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law & Policy  

Dates: September 17, 2024 – December 14 , 2024 

Applications Due: June 15, 2023, 5:00 PM ET 

Background:  

Founded in 1979, Family Equality advances legal and lived equality for current and future LGBTQ+ families through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. We envision a future where: 

• All LGBTQ+ families and youth live in communities that recognize, respect, protect, and value them. 
• Everyone has the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family. 
• Systems of service are free of discrimination and maximize opportunities for LGBTQ+ families & youth. 

As an organization, we have prioritized anti-racism and integrating racial equality into every facet of our work. We acknowledge our history as a predominantly white organization and are committed to ending white supremacy. Doing so is essential to our objective of full equality for all LGBTQ+ people. 

Position Summary:  

Family Equality is seeking a Policy Legal Intern – Family Formation & Protection (FFP) for Fall 2024 to work with the Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law & Policy. Family Equality is a distributed organization, with employees throughout the country. The FFP intern will work remotely from anywhere in the United States. The FFP intern will help the Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law & Policy advance a proactive agenda for family recognition and creation, and family-inclusive and non-discrimination reform. The FFP intern will assist with legislative and policy changes at all levels of government that are beneficial to and affirming of LGBTQ+ families and those who wish to form them. Specifically, the FFP intern will focus on relationship and family recognition, family formation and expansion (adoption and assisted reproduction), and parentage.  

The FFP intern will aid in legislative drafting and provide other technical assistance to national, state, and local partners and elected officials. When this internship aligns with the legislative session, the FFP intern may have the opportunity to travel to assist in providing legislative testimony and/or other support as needed. All work will be done through a racial and economic justice lens, with intentional incorporation of the perspectives of multiple communities and in consideration of impacts and outcomes of policy advocacy. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in LGBTQ+ policy and will be able to work independently and as part of a team.  With an anticipated internship period of September - December 2024. 

Responsibilities:  

• The internship may be part-time or up to full-time if participating in a semester externship in exchange for academic credit. 
• The intern may work from anywhere in the United States with the understanding that the Family Equality Policy team works Central Standard/Daylight Savings Time traditional hours. 
• The intern will engage in a range of day-to-day activities, including drafting advocacy materials, supporting legislative efforts, working in coalition with national and state partners, assist in lobbying efforts, track and analyze legislation, regulations, and litigation impacting LGBTQ+ families, conduct legal and policy research, and prepare written materials.    
• The intern will manage at least one project and will receive training in policy advocacy, communications, policy campaign development, and more. 
• The FFP intern may have opportunities to engage in occasional travel to assist in legislative efforts, based on the project's specific needs. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

All candidates must enjoy a fast-paced environment, be highly organized without losing sight of larger objectives, and be committed to justice and equality for LGBTQ+ families. 

• The FFP internship is open to law students who have completed at least 3 semesters of school and who are in good academic standing. 
• We encourage those with a demonstrated interest or background in LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights, family or child welfare law or policy, or social justice issues to apply.  
• The FFP intern must have strong legal research, writing, speaking, and organizational skills, and be ready to learn.  

Externships for academic credit are unpaid but may receive a travel stipend, if travel is needed to complete aspects of the internship. Family Equality may provide a $2500 stipend for this internship and is willing to work with applicants regarding outside funding they may procure.  

How to Apply: 

To apply, please provide a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (may be unofficial), and writing sample consisting of no more than 8 pages to Meg York, Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy: myork@familyequality.com. We accept applications on a rolling basis. 

Family Equality provides a team-based environment, and we value the benefits of a diversified workplace. Women, people of color, transgender individuals and members of other underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Family Equality provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. 

For more information on Family Equality, please visit our website at www.familyequality.org. 

 Externships for academic credit are unpaid but may receive a travel stipend, if travel is needed to complete aspects of the internship. Family Equality may provide a $2500 stipend for this internship and is willing to work with applicants regarding outside funding they may procure. 

To apply, please provide a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (may be unofficial), and writing sample consisting of no more than 8 pages to Meg York, Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy: myork@familyequality.org. We accept applications on a rolling basis.