Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.
PFA’s Public Policy Litigation and Law Department (“Lit and Law”) represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in matters that affect the Planned Parenthood mission. Lit and Law provides legal advice to, and, when appropriate, conducts litigation in state and federal courts across the country on behalf of, PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care.
Lit and Law seeks rising 2L, 3L, and LLM law student interns for its New York and Washington, D.C. offices or to work remotely for summer 2025. The internship is a full-time position. PPFA is open to candidates who wish to split their summer with another internship or with a summer associate position.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter explaining their relevant experience and interest in interning for PPFA, a resume, and a writing sample. Rising 3Ls and LLMs should apply by October 18, 2024, and rising 2Ls should apply by January 1, 2025.
Applicants may seek academic credit for the internship. Applicants not receiving academic credit are encouraged to seek external funding for the internship; if an applicant is unable to secure funding, PPFA may be able to provide funding but cannot guarantee it at this time.
Purpose:
PPFA conducts constitutional impact litigation in state and federal courts across the country. PPFA also provides strategic legal advice on legislation in Congress and state legislatures and on regulatory issues at the national, state, and local levels.
Delivery:
The State Policy team in PPFA’s Public Policy, Litigation, and Law Department provides strategic legal advice to affiliate health centers about their proactive and defensive legislative and administrative goals and provides analysis and support on state policy work related to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including but not limited to access to abortion and contraception, sexual and reproductive health education, gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, and Medicaid coverage. We assist affiliates in their efforts to defeat or repeal laws and policies that restrict Planned Parenthood patients’ access to comprehensive reproductive health services and in their efforts to enact laws and policies that expand access to such services. Our team also provides analysis and legal advice on regulatory issues at the state and local levels.
Engagement:
Interns work closely with PPFA attorneys on a wide variety of policy-related responsibilities, including conducting legal research and analysis and drafting memoranda, talking points, and issue-specific backgrounders. Interns will be invited to participate in conversations with affiliates and coalition partners throughout the summer.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Excellent research and writing skills, enthusiasm for working with policy attorneys, a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and a strong interest in reproductive rights and justice, health law, racial and economic justice, and/or public interest law more generally.
TRAVEL: N/A