The ACLU of Puerto Rico seeks a bilingual Legal & Communications Intern for their Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI) in our San Juan, Puerto Rico office. This internship is Hybrid and can be Full-time or Part-time.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated legal students. Applicant must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The ACLU of Puerto Rico is a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation. The American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”) is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, dedicated to protecting the fundamental liberties and basic civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and our civil rights laws.

The ACLU of Puerto Rico has an abiding interest in the civil and democratic rights of persons within the jurisdiction of the archipelago and other U.S. territories, who must be fully entitled to the Constitution’s protections and rights whether they reside in the federal territories or in any of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

The Legal & Communications Intern will work closely with the communications and legal departments. During the internship, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to gain practical experience preparing and monitoring public information requests; develop legal research and writing skills through supervised litigation support; developing a research project assessing government transparency in Puerto Rico; participate in the development of public education materials and workshops; and learn how legal advocacy, strategic communications, and public engagement can work together to advance civil rights and government accountability.

What You’ll Do

The intern will support the team's advancement in free speech, transparency, government accountability, and the public’s right to access information. Working collaboratively with the Legal and Communications Departments, the intern will assist with public records requests, legal research, litigation support, public education initiatives, and communication projects related to access to government information and public documents in Puerto Rico.

This internship offers law students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience at the intersection of civil rights, legal advocacy, investigative research, and strategic communications.

Your Day to Day

Litigation Support
Assist the Legal Department in identifying and researching potential cases involving violations of the right to access public documents and information
Support the preparation of legal filings, appeals, and other documents under attorney supervision
Research and Analysis
Support the development of a report assessing the state of access to public documents and information in Puerto Rico following most recent amendments to the Transparency Law
Contribute to research summaries, findings, and recommendations for internal and public-facing materials
Communications and Public Education
Assist in developing bilingual workshops and educational materials on the right to access public documents and information
Support outreach to journalists, students, community organizations, and other groups interested in submitting requests for access to public documents and information

What You’ll Bring

Currently enrolled in the third or fourth year of a Juris Doctor program, or a graduate of an accredited law school
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
Professional proficiency in both Spanish and English, written and spoken, is required
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to manage assignments independently and meet deadlines
Demonstrate knowledge of processes under Puerto Rico’s Transparency Law and the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Future ACLU-ers Will

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives