EDF Hiring Legal Intern, Clean Air: Remote Environmental Law Opportunity Paying $28.57 Per Hour

Environmental law students looking to gain practical experience in climate policy, clean air regulation, litigation, and environmental justice can apply for the Legal Intern, Clean Air position at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

The part-time internship is available remotely across the United States, with an option to work in a hybrid arrangement from EDF offices in Washington, D.C., or Boulder, Colorado. The internship is scheduled for Fall 2026, requires approximately 10–15 hours per week, and pays $28.57 per hour.

The application deadline is August 11, 2026, making this an opportunity for eligible candidates to apply quickly.

About the EDF Legal Internship

EDF’s internships are designed to provide students with meaningful professional experience, relevant projects, and opportunities to build relationships with experienced environmental professionals.

The Legal Intern, Clean Air will join EDF’s U.S. Legal & Regulatory team, supporting attorneys working on clean air, climate protection, methane regulation, environmental justice, and community-led initiatives.

The internship offers exposure to real-world environmental legal work rather than purely administrative tasks. Previous interns on the team have contributed to major litigation, regulatory advocacy, international environmental agreements, and initiatives designed to protect vulnerable communities from air pollution.

What Will the Legal Intern Do?

The successful intern will support attorneys working on methane and clean air issues, including legal analysis related to federal and state oil and gas policies.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting legal and factual research on climate and clean air issues.
• Supporting litigation filings.
• Contributing to administrative comments.
• Researching public health and environmental protection issues.
• Assessing the implications of recent court decisions.
• Drafting fact sheets and blog posts.
• Representing EDF at public hearings before government agencies.
• Supporting environmental justice initiatives.
• Participating in community partnership development.
• Contributing to organisational effectiveness and culture initiatives.

These responsibilities can provide law students with valuable exposure to the intersection of environmental law, public policy, litigation, climate change, and environmental justice.

Focus on Clean Air and Climate Policy

The role is particularly focused on clean air and climate protection.

The intern will work alongside attorneys on issues involving methane and oil and gas policy, while also supporting broader clean air initiatives.

This could provide an opportunity for a law student interested in regulatory law to understand how legal research and advocacy can influence government policies affecting public health and the environment.

The position may also involve examining how court decisions affect environmental priorities and helping translate complex legal issues into accessible public-facing materials.

Environmental Justice and Community Engagement

Environmental justice is another important component of the internship.

EDF’s U.S. Legal & Regulatory team works toward solutions that protect communities from environmental harm while ensuring people from different backgrounds can participate meaningfully in environmental decision-making.

The intern may therefore contribute to environmental justice projects, grassroots organising efforts, and community partnerships.

Applicants with demonstrated interest or experience in diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental justice, or grassroots organising are encouraged to apply.

Who Is Eligible?

The internship has a specific academic requirement.

Applicants must be current third-year law students (3Ls) enrolled at an ABA-approved law school.

Candidates should have an interest in emerging state, regional, and national issues involving climate change and air quality.

Strong written and oral communication skills are essential because the position involves legal research, drafting, advocacy, and collaboration with attorneys and external stakeholders.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Strong organisation and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to prioritise deadlines.
• Teamwork skills.
• Independent working ability.
• Initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Cultural competency and self-awareness.
• Commitment to inclusive collaboration.

Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit several materials as part of the application.

These include:

• A cover letter.
• A resume.
• A writing sample.
• An unofficial law school transcript.

The cover letter should explain the applicant’s interest in environmental law, environmental policy, environmental justice, and relevant coursework they have completed.

Providing a focused cover letter will be particularly important because the role is specialised and EDF wants to understand the candidate’s motivation for pursuing environmental legal work.

Remote Working Arrangement

The Legal Intern, Clean Air position is listed as Remote – US Home.

EDF allows team members to work remotely throughout the United States, while also offering the option of a hybrid arrangement from its offices in Washington, D.C., or Boulder, Colorado.

The internship is part-time, requiring approximately 10–15 hours per week during the Fall 2026 term.

This arrangement could make the opportunity suitable for eligible law students seeking meaningful professional experience alongside their academic commitments.

Compensation

The internship provides paid work at an hourly rate of $28.57.

EDF describes this compensation as competitive with leading nonprofit organisations.

For a student seeking to build a career in environmental law, the combination of paid experience, exposure to experienced attorneys, legal research opportunities, and involvement in environmental advocacy can make the internship a valuable addition to a legal career portfolio.

Deadline: August 11, 2026

The application deadline is August 11, 2026.

Because the deadline is approaching, eligible law students should prepare their application materials as soon as possible. Applicants should ensure their resume, writing sample, transcript, and cover letter clearly demonstrate their interest in climate and clean air issues.

Final Thoughts

The EDF Legal Intern, Clean Air opportunity provides a strong pathway for a current 3L law student interested in combining legal practice with environmental protection and climate advocacy.

With responsibilities spanning legal research, litigation support, regulatory advocacy, environmental justice, public hearings, and community engagement, the internship can offer practical insight into how environmental law is used to advance public health and climate protections.

For eligible U.S.-based law students passionate about clean air, climate policy, environmental justice, and public-interest law, this Fall 2026 internship offers a chance to gain meaningful experience while contributing to EDF’s environmental mission.

Application deadline: August 11, 2026
Work arrangement: U.S. Remote / Hybrid options in Washington, D.C. and Boulder
Hours: 10–15 hours per week
Pay: $28.57 per hour
Eligibility: Current 3L at an ABA-approved law school

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.