PKTrains Legal Advocacy Interns and Externs

This is not an opening for an existing position at Public Knowledge. If a position or additional internship funding becomes available at Public Knowledge, we will consider applicants from this pool of candidates. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Summary: Public Knowledge welcomes ongoing applications for legal advocacy interns. Applicants must be current law or graduate students and must have a strong interest in the policy making process — the U.S. Congress, the executive branch, and agencies such as the FCC. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public interest (non-profit) technology policy, including issues arising under internet, telecommunications, copyright, patent, privacy, and international law. Internships are generally about 10 weeks. Interns are usually compensated by their school or another program; PK will work with qualified applicants to attempt to secure funding. Externship length is at the direction of the sponsoring school and are usually for school credit.

Position Summary: The intern/extern will promote fundamental human rights in the digital economy by creating and executing strategies to promote the open internet, balanced intellectual property rights, and communications competition.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks: Collaborate on strategy and advocacy to shape laws and regulations that support open internet policy, communications competition, and balanced intellectual property law. Draft legal and advocacy documents that  support public interest positions. Collaborate with government relations and communications staff to develop and execute strategy on Capitol Hill, at the Federal Communications Commission, with other government agencies, in coalitions including other public interest groups, and with the press. Develop expertise in a select set of national internet technology or related policy issues. Other responsibilities and tasks, as needed.

Organization Description: Public Knowledge is a nonprofit technology policy organization that promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. PK’s modes of advocacy include outreach to the U.S. Congress, the executive branch, and administrative agencies, filing administrative comments, submitting amicus briefs, hosting public education events, building coalitions, and writing white papers and blog posts. Legal advocacy interns participate in all aspects of our work. For more general information about PK’s advocacy training program, click here.