Programs for Law Students and Undergraduates

“Conservatives and libertarians who think [legal] clinics promote liberal politics rather than serve the public have begun a small-scale option. Each year, the Institute for Justice brings two dozen students to Washington for training in cases that reflect free-market principles and property rights.”

— U.S. News & World Report

Law Student Conference


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	“Constitutionally focused. Intellectually rigorous. Idealistically challenging. Provocative and compelling.” — Law Student Conference Participant

The Institute for Justice holds its acclaimed Law Student Conference at the George Washington University each summer. Students from the nation's top law schools take part in this three-day conference on shaping the world through the IJ way of public interest litigation.

The annual conference covers the Institute for Justice’s four litigation pillars: First Amendment rights, school choice, economic liberty and private property rights. These topics are taught alongside others rarely discussed in law school, such as: natural rights theory, public interest litigation tactics, cutting-edge constitutional theories, media skills, and the use of social science research. The faculty combines IJ attorneys and staff members with leading law professors and legal experts including Randy Barnett, Roger Pilon, and Todd Zywicki. The conference's keynote speaker is always a distinguished jurist, who offers a view of public interest law from the bench. After attending this crash course in public interest law, the IJ Way, participants are able to recognize and seize public interest opportunities in the future.

How do we fit all of this into a weekend? Check out the sample conference agenda.

The Institute for Justice's 2013 Law Student Conference will be held Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, 2013 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Learn more about IJ's Law Student Conference in this short video

Clerkships and Internships


	“Since school began last week, dozens of people have asked me what I did last summer. When I spend a few minutes telling them about my summer clerkship, the school choice cases, and the U.S. Supreme Court briefs I helped construct, I only scratched the surface of my experience in Washington. I cannot stress enough the profound personal impact my clerkship left. Thank you.” — Summer Clerk

The Institute for Justice employs law clerks and both undergraduate and graduate interns during the school year and throughout the summer. Clerks and interns participate in the day-to-day activities that make up the Institute's fast-paced litigation docket. IJ's legal staff draws upon clerk and intern talent for assistance with legal research, brief writing, client interviewing, drafting affidavits, op-ed writing, and a host of other key litigation responsibilities.

Summer clerkships are highly competitive and usually run from the beginning of June through mid August. IJ encourages interested students to contact us about summer clerkships no later than December.

Most IJ law clerks arrange their own funding from law school public interest fellowships or other outside sources, but a limited number of paid clerkships are available. Students are also encouraged to seek academic credit or participate in semester externships. In addition, IJ has individual research projects that can be completed by students nationwide, either to fulfill mandatory pro bono assignments or on a volunteer basis.

The Institute for Justice’s chapter offices also hire clerks and interns throughout the school year and summer months. In addition to the DC- metro area, clerk and internship opportunities are also available in Tempe, Arizona; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Austin, Texas; and Seattle, Washington. Students interested in clerking or interning only at one of IJ’s state chapters should apply directly to the specific chapter.


	The Institute for Justice is no longer accepting applications for summer 2013 law student clerkships and undergraduate internships. If you are interested in applying for a fall 2013 law clerkship or internship, the application will be available through this website in July.

If you have any questions about IJ's clerkship and internship program, email IJ's student program coordinator at training@ij.org.

Human Action Network

Alumni of the Institute for Justice's law student conference and clerk and intern programs comprise a group of uniquely trained legal advocates known as the Human Action Network (HAN). HAN is now a nationwide talent bank, comprised of hundreds of IJ alumni who volunteer whenever opportunities arise to protect individual liberties. Members of HAN support IJ by assisting with numerous litigation and non-litigation activities including identifying and researching potential cases, serving as local counsel, authoring amicus briefs on our behalf, filing amicus briefs supporting IJ cases and litigating cases IJ is unable to litigate. HAN membership gives attorneys who are interested in IJ’s mission an outlet to help advance the rule of law in which individuals have control over their own destinies.

Testimonials

“The office has real energy-a very special sense of purpose pursued by professionals who share a mission as well as friendship.”

— Summer Clerk

“My experience as a law clerk has shown me that even a relatively small group can challenge the status quo, dare lawmakers, courts and individuals to think differently, and have a profound impact on the law.”

— Fall Clerk

“Nothing brings home the importance of liberty and choice as much as hearing the individual stories of IJ's clients. Participating in their struggle is the best motivation to pursue a legal career.”

— Fall/Spring Clerk

“IJ's Law Student Conference was well organized, coherent, concise, and completely new.”

— Law Student Conference Participant