IAALS Law Student Intern

University of Denver•Denver, CO

8h•$23 - $23•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Organization IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, is a national, independent research organization that innovates and advances solutions that make our civil justice system more just. We believe justice for all must be a reality for everyone. Every day, IAALS reexamines how the American civil justice system can better serve the needs of us all. Through purposeful collaboration, listening, and research, we jumpstart the groundbreaking and achievable solutions that will clear a path to justice for everyone. Because justice for all will never be a reality if those seeking justice cannot access the system designed to deliver it. Our Work IAALS’ unique approach depends on purposeful research, deep collaboration, and inclusivity of perspective, followed by evidence-based recommendations that take hold in courts and legal institutions across the country. IAALS works on solving problems with a broad view of the legal ecosystem, targeting changes in the courts and in the delivery of legal services. We conduct comprehensive analysis and work with stakeholders to design solutions, empower decision-makers, and measure outcomes and impacts to advance an accessible and trusted legal system. In order to innovate our civil justice system to meet today’s challenges and opportunities, we need to better understand the problems people face. Nearly half of Americans experience legal problems for which they can’t find a solution. More than 70% of civil and family disputes in the United States include at least one side that doesn’t have an attorney. Incomprehensive legalese, limited legal support, and convoluted processes make fair legal resolutions increasingly unattainable. Businesses routinely choose arbitration rather than using the courts, jury trials are disappearing, and public confidence in our legal system is low. Our modern society, with modern people and problems, demands the evolution of systems created hundreds of years ago. The status quo is rigid, inaccessible, slow, and costly—and doesn’t account for the people moving through it, rather than only those working within it. That is the work of IAALS. IAALS has ongoing research projects in the areas of judicial reform, civil justice reform, family justice reform, legal education and licensure reform, and innovation in the delivery of legal services and the profession. We encourage applicants to learn more about our work at https://iaals.du.edu/. Position Summary This is a non-benefitted position that will not exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in a semester-long or year-long internship option. IAALS is seeking a law student intern to assist with a variety of projects for 8-10 hours per week from September through December 2026, with the option to extend the internship into the 2027 spring semester. The start date is negotiable. The person in this role will work with leaders of IAALS’ work on a wide variety of projects across the areas of civil justice, family justice, the judiciary, legal education, and the legal profession. Examples of projects this person may work on include the following: Engaging in legal research for projects across our various focus areas Drafting memos for programmatic directors detailing results of research Drafting articles and other external materials on legal system reform Attending legal reform events on various topics virtually and in-person Working with members of the programmatic team to complete other tasks as needed Through this work, we aim to expose law student interns to all aspects of IAALS’ work across the civil legal system and enable them to obtain a better understanding of the local and national legal communities. IAALS’ office is located on the University of Denver campus. This position is eligible for remote and in-person work. The intern’s primary supervisor works remotely full-time.

Requirements

Excellent written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills with attention to detail.
Demonstrated experience Bluebooking.
Excellent legal research skills.
Advanced computer proficiency in software programs relevant to legal research and presentations, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated successful experience working in and with a variety of individuals and groups.
Full-time students must have completed at least two semesters of law school in the United States and part-time law students must have completed at least three semesters of law school in the United States.