Legal Intern (Unpaid / Academic Credit Eligible)
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FASD United
Washington, DC, US
Summary
Conduct legal research and analysis on FASD-related justice system issues to support the development of legal briefs and training materials. Assist the Justice Advisory Committee in creating resources for legal professionals and policymakers to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Job Description
Legal Intern (Unpaid / Academic Credit Eligible)
FASD United – Justice Advisory Committee / Justice Center
Location: Remote (U.S.-based required)
Duration: Semester-based (Fall/Spring/Summer; flexible start dates)
Time Commitment: 10–15 hours per week (flexible based on academic requirements)
Compensation: Unpaid (academic credit or volunteer experience)
Position Overview
FASD United is seeking law students for a Legal Internship supporting its Justice Advisory Committee and Justice Center initiatives. This role offers hands-on experience at the intersection of law, disability, behavioral health, and public policy, with a focus on improving justice system outcomes for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
Interns will contribute to legal research, training development, and the creation of case-informed resources that support attorneys, courts, families, and policymakers.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Research & Analysis
- Conduct legal research on topics related to FASD and the justice system (e.g., competency, Miranda rights, sentencing, diversion, disability accommodations)
- Identify and summarize relevant case law, statutes, and emerging legal trends
- Support development of legal briefs, memoranda, and issue summaries
Amicus Brief Support
- Assist in research and drafting components of amicus curiae briefs
- Compile supporting evidence, citations, and interdisciplinary research (legal + clinical)
- Track relevant appellate and post-conviction cases involving FASD-related issues
Training & Resource Development
- Support the development of training materials for legal professionals (judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement)
- Assist in creating fact sheets, legal guides, and presentation materials
- Translate complex legal and clinical concepts into accessible formats
Committee & Program Support
- Assist with preparation of Justice Advisory Committee materials (agendas, summaries, research briefs)
- Support coordination of subject-matter experts and contributors
- Participate in internal discussions and contribute insights where appropriate
Learning Objectives
Interns will:
- Gain exposure to disability-informed legal frameworks and justice system reform
- Develop skills in legal research, policy analysis, and applied advocacy
- Engage with multidisciplinary professionals across law, behavioral health, and social services
- Build experience in nonprofit legal strategy and systems-level impact work
Qualifications
- Current law student (1L, 2L, or 3L) in good academic standing
- Strong legal research and writing skills
- Interest in criminal law, juvenile justice, disability law, public defense, prosecution, or public policy
- Ability to synthesize complex information across disciplines
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Preferred (Not Required)
- Coursework or experience in criminal law, evidence, constitutional law, or disability rights
- Interest or experience related to FASD, neurodevelopmental disabilities, or behavioral health
- Experience with legal databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis)
Supervision & Structure
- Interns will be supervised by FASD United staff and/or designated legal advisors affiliated with the Justice Advisory Committee
- Regular check-ins and feedback will be provided
- Work may contribute to real-world legal resources, training materials, and policy initiatives
Academic Credit / Volunteer Structure
- This is an unpaid position
- FASD United will support documentation required for academic credit, externship programs, or pro bono hours
- Interns are responsible for coordinating with their academic institution for credit approval
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Resume or CV
- Brief statement of interest included in a cover letter (1–2 paragraphs)
- Writing sample (legal or academic)
- Availability (hours per week and preferred term)
About FASD United
FASD United is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing awareness, research, policy, and support for individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Through its Justice initiatives, FASD United works to improve legal system responses and outcomes for individuals with FASD.
FASD United, (formerly NOFAS) educates the public, practitioners, and policymakers about the risk of in utero alcohol exposure and about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, a disability impacting as many as 1 in 20 people in the US.
Our new name, FASD United, underscores our dedication to supporting individuals, families, and communities living with FASD. As FASD United, we maintain the mission of preventing prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting healthy pregnancies.
Why United? FASD United reflects the compelling need to unite FASD communities and efforts to tackle this tremendous problem that – despite its crisis proportions – mostly gets overlooked by the general public and our systems of care. FASD United will use its 30 years of experience and partnerships across public, tribal and private sector communities to bridge and fill gaps between research, policies, practices, and lived experiences to address the extraordinary complexities of FASD prevention and support for those affected so they can reach their full potential.
The new FASD United logo’s circle of rainbow colors reflects the spectrum of those with FASD, and captures the message of hope in the rainbow Karli drew for the original logo and in our Circle of Hope mentor program for birth mothers. The circular logo also symbolizes unity of the different sized circles representing all of our communities joining together to find solutions to improve outcomes for individuals and their families living with FASD.
Founded
1990
Company size
2-10 employees
Industry
Non-profit Organizations
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Washington, DC
FASD United, (formerly NOFAS) educates the public, practitioners, and policymakers about the risk of in utero alcohol exposure and about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, a disability impacting as many as 1 in 20 people in the US.
Our new name, FASD United, underscores our dedication to supporting individuals, families, and communities living with FASD. As FASD United, we maintain the mission of preventing prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting healthy pregnancies.
Why United? FASD United reflects the compelling need to unite FASD communities and efforts to tackle this tremendous problem that – despite its crisis proportions – mostly gets overlooked by the general public and our systems of care. FASD United will use its 30 years of experience and partnerships across public, tribal and private sector communities to bridge and fill gaps between research, policies, practices, and lived experiences to address the extraordinary complexities of FASD prevention and support for those affected so they can reach their full potential.
The new FASD United logo’s circle of rainbow colors reflects the spectrum of those with FASD, and captures the message of hope in the rainbow Karli drew for the original logo and in our Circle of Hope mentor program for birth mothers. The circular logo also symbolizes unity of the different sized circles representing all of our communities joining together to find solutions to improve outcomes for individuals and their families living with FASD.
Founded
1990
Company size
2-10 employees
Industry
Non-profit Organizations
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Washington, DC
