Internship (Graduate or Masters Associate)

The Open Society Justice Initiative seeks to recruit full or part-time Legal Interns (full time over the summer period) with demonstrated commitment to the promotion of human rights through the use of strategic litigation. At the Justice Initiative, legal interns do real work with real impact. Under the close supervision of assigned mentors, our interns gain first-hand experience in using the law to protect and empower people around the world. Whether they support strategic litigation efforts, undertake grant making, conduct in-depth research, help provide technical assistance, support operational activities or contribute to our broad advocacy initiatives, interns receive hands-on training on the various methodologies used by public interest advocacy groups to foster and encourage reform, inclusion, human rights, and the building of legal capacity for open societies.

Who we are

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. The Open Society Justice Initiative undertakes strategic litigation in national, regional, and international courts and administrative forums across the globe to advance Open Society Foundations’ goals and priorities. The Justice Initiative is comprised of lawyers and human rights practitioners with a wide range of practice experience who integrate in-court interventions with out of court legal advocacy, grant making and community engagement. The Justice Initiative works closely with OSF’s regional and global programs to deploy the tool of strategic litigation effectively, and to provide support to OSF grantees and partners who wish to do the same.

Internship Profile

The Open Society Justice Initiative is seeking current law school and other advanced degree graduate students to join our team as Legal Interns based in our London office. This summer internship will commence in Summer 2026, exact date to be determined based on candidate availability and agreement, ending in December 2026. The internship requires a full-time (40 hours/week) commitment for the first three months; the internship may become part-time (20 hours/week, minimum) starting in September, with prior OSJI approval. This is a hybrid position with the successful candidate expected to spend 50% of their time in the office.

As a Legal intern at Open Society, you will

• Draft legal and non-legal reports and memoranda on programmatic or legal issues related to priority areas (this may include political rights, physical integrity, fair trials, national security, corporate accountability, women’s rights, and/or United Nations mechanisms).
• Conduct all-source research via websites, Lexis/Nexis, foreign source materials, academic studies, oral interviews of experts, and legal and political documents.
• Research and analyze international and domestic law jurisprudence as it relates to human rights, and the situations and development of targeted country situations.
• Compile country/region-specific information on human rights and rule of law issues; this may include human rights defenders, civil society activities, legislative developments, and state compliance with international human rights standards.
• Participate in OSJI scheduled staff calls and other relevant meetings.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

The ideal candidate

• Currently enrolled in a law school or graduate program with legal component or a recent graduate.
• Highly motivated with demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors.
• Demonstrated interest in human rights litigation and commitment to public service, with an understanding of and strong interest in international human rights law.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Advanced proficiency in English-language communication skills (both orally and in writing) required, proficiency in other languages, particularly French or Arabic, an added plus.
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail; flexibility and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks, particularly under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good humor always appreciated, with an understanding of cross-cultural issues and ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV, alongside a sample of your writing. Please include in your cover letter your availability, including the dates you’d be available and the number of hours you’d be able to dedicate to the internship, (e.g. preference to work full-time throughout the course of the internship or preference to work full-time for the first three months, and part-time for the second half); we look forward to learning more about you.

Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.