About Washington Lawyers'​ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) works to create legal, economic, and social equity through litigation, client and public education, and public policy advocacy with a primary focus on racial justice. For the last 55 years, the Committee has been on the cutting edge of civil rights advocacy in the region bringing precedent setting litigation to address discrimination. Our work focuses on injustices in housing, employment, the criminal legal system, education, public accommodations, and the civil rights of immigrants. We partner with individuals and communities facing discrimination and with the legal community to achieve justice. The Committee’s staff is unionized with the National Organization of Legal Service Workers Local #2320, UAW. For more information on the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, please go to www.washlaw.org.

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) Workers’ Rights Internship provides students with firsthand experience assisting DMV workers facing workplace injustice. The Workers’ Rights Internship Program is typically designed for undergraduates; however, other students are welcome to apply if they are interested in a non-legal internship experience with the Committee.  

Applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in internships at the Committee. You should include information about how you plan to receive credit or outside compensation in your application materials. See the section “How to Apply” below for more details.  

This position is currently hiring for Fall 2025. Workers' rights internships require a commitment of 20-40 hours/week and typically last 8-14 weeks. Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work. Fully remote internships are not currently available.  

Applications for this role will be considered on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to those who apply sooner.  

About the role

For over two decades, the Workers’ Rights Clinic has served low-income DMV workers. The Clinic plays a critical role in combatting racial inequity, giving workers the tools to hold employers accountable for discrimination in the workplace, wage and hour violations that perpetuate the racial wealth gap, and other claims. This is a great opportunity to serve the local DC community and support racial justice. At present, the clinics are held: 

• Every Wednesday, 4:30-9pm (virtual)  

• First and Third Fridays, 11am-3pm (virtual)  

• Second Saturdays, 10a-2pm (in-person)

Responsibilities

Depending on the needs of our cases and clients at a given time, undergraduate interns should expect to allocate their work time as follows:  

60% of their time will be spent working on administrative support outside of clinic hours. This work will include:  

• Reviewing, processing, and responding to inquiries from workers seeking legal advice and brief services; 

• Managing client records and updating our client database; 

• Fielding phone calls from workers; 

• Scheduling workers for intakes through phone calls, email, and form responses; 

• Conducting legal intakes with workers;  

• Drafting demand letters and other documents for workers.   

30% of their time will be spent supporting the workers’ rights advocate during the Workers’ Rights Clinic. This work will include:  

• Transferring phone calls to connect the intake volunteers with the worker they’ll be helping  

• Answering general intake volunteer questions   

• Conducting legal intakes with workers;  

• Corresponding with workers receiving legal advice and brief services. 

10% of their time will be spent on other assignments, depending on the needs of our cases and clients. In the past, these assignments have included:  

• Conducting research on relevant issues and/or employers;  

• Creating Know Your Rights materials; 

• Community outreach with the workers’ rights advocate.  

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:  

• Commitment to social and racial justice reform;  

• Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations;  

• Excellent organizational and administrative skills;  

• Ability to staff a portion of at least one weekly clinic; 

• Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and communicate effectively regarding the status of various projects; 

• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including reliability and adherence to company policies and standards; and, 

• Ability to communicate in Spanish or other languages is desired, but by no means required

Application Instructions 

As noted above, applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation (equivalent to DC’s minimum wage) to participate in the Workers' Rights Internship. You will be prompted to upload your materials below, including a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please be sure to explain:  

1. Your interest in the internship;  
2. Your experience with and/or commitment to workers’ rights;  
3. Your anticipated start and end dates;  
4. Your anticipated hours per week; and,   
5. An explanation of how you will receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage (you do not need to have your credit or compensation finalized when submitting your application).