Fall 2025 - Public Policy/ Law Extern, Sentencing Reform (American University & Howard University) at Vera Institute of Justice

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 240 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

Who you are:

Vera aims to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they are fair for all. The Sentencing Reform project seeks to change excessive sentences that emerged in the “tough on crime” era of the 1980s and 1990s and are still prevalent. The Sentencing Project is working in New York, Illinois and Michigan to advocate for sentencing changes that deliver safety and repair harm through decreasing the use and length of prison sentences and increasing the availability of community-based sentences that focus on accountability. Vera’s assets of advocacy, research, and strategic messaging and communications make us well positioned to take on this work, in coalition with others, particularly crime survivors. The Law Intern will conduct research about sentencing law and policy. Specifically, the intern will synthesize existing research about earned time laws in 50 states into a top line memo.

What you'll do:

Policy research

• State, and local policy, legal and legislative research
• Researching scholarly and media reports about campaigning for sentencing reforms

Drafting memos about sentencing law and policy

Assisting with special events and programming like workshops and training.

Other Duties as Assigned

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required: 

• Currently enrolled in law school and successfully completed two semesters of law school study (2L or higher) or enrolled in Masters of Public Policy program at American University or Howard University.
• Successful completion of a course in Legal Reasoning, Research & Writing; 
• Enrolled in a course component or seminar to gain credits for externship. Selection of placement must be approved by program. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with advocates, government officials, criminal legal system personnel, practitioners, and people who are directly impacted by the criminal legal system. 
• Must be available to report to our DC office in Dupont Circle 2-3 days a week, up to 20 hours a week. 
• (Howard University Students) Students may not participate in an externship and a clinic simultaneously

Preferred: 

• Education or work experience in public policy, curriculum development and/or teaching, social work, political science, criminal justice, or related field.  
• Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system.  
• Strong interest in racial justice advocacy.  
• Successful completion of a course in Legal Reasoning, Research & Writing. 
• Prior experience in a prosecutor or public defender’s office. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

• Strong organizational skills.  
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.  

Technical knowledge we need you to be prepared to use:

• Microsoft Office Suite 

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Washington, DC office. Vera interns and employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule. Full-time positions generally amount to 10 days per month. Part-time positions generally amount to 5 days per month.

Schedule:

The extern should be available to work up to 20 hours per week during the Fall. The dates will be between October 27th and December 13th, with some flexibility to accommodate personal and academic schedules.

Compensation:

Applicants will receive academic credit for the externship. Vera will gladly assist in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter packet. In your cover letter packet, please include the following:

• Cover letter that addresses your interest in working in justice reform and race equity 
• Writing sample (no more than 5 pages, of previously adapted near original writing or only lightly-edited work) 
• Transcript (law school or grad school) 

Transcripts may be sent to [email protected] if unable to include in the packet.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Fall 2024 - Law Extern, Reshaping Prosecution
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

In order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org