Summer 2026 Legal Internship

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of human rights and the environment. CIEL is comprised of attorneys, campaigners, researchers, and communicators who have extensive experience in leading international strategies to advance everyone's right to a healthy environment. Many of our program areas explore innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, including in their direct link with other international legal fields, such as international investment law or international trade law.

Our legal internship program offers a unique opportunity for law students to develop skills in the field of international environmental law, and using legal strategies to protect human rights and the environment. Learning from and supervised by a diverse staff of experts and attorneys, internships offer insight into innovative developments in international environmental law and human rights, by honing thoughtful and creative research and analysis. Offering this internship is central to CIEL's mission of developing the next generation of environmental leaders and lawyers through real-world training and practice. 

Responsibilities of a legal intern may include researching and writing about areas of domestic and international law, including environmental and human rights law, international investment law, and international trade law and policy; assisting with policy analysis and advocacy; attending meetings and conferences; assisting with the production of CIEL publications, legal opinions and legal briefs; support in the preparation of amicus curiae before international tribunals and otherwise working closely with CIEL staff on various projects. Successful applicants generally possess excellent research and writing skills and a strong dedication to public interest law.

Notes:

• Internships for the summer session may start as early as May, 2026.
• These internships will be under the supervision of CIEL's Climate & Energy Program. 

Stipend:
A monthly stipend is available for any intern eligible to receive it under the rules applied by their jurisdiction and educational institution. The basic stipend is 2,660 CHF/month for full-time interns based in Geneva. For less than full-time internships, the stipend is prorated according to the intern's approximate level of time commitment to CIEL. Stipends are intended to make the CIEL internship more readily available to aspiring professionals, and are not intended to create a legal or employment relationship between the intern and CIEL, or otherwise modify the legal nature of the internship program.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study leading to an LLM degree or similar legal professional qualification for the duration of the internship.  We cannot accept recent graduates.
  
• Applicants are required to be available between a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks, for at least 24 hours/week.
  

To Apply:

• To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample in English. 
  

Application Deadline:

• 1 March, :59pm CET)
  

FAQ:

• May I undertake my internship remotely?  Internships with CIEL's Geneva office are expected to take place in person.
  
• What should I submit as an English writing sample?  Feel free to submit something that you feel demonstrates your writing ability.  This can include undergraduate work. Please avoid legal memos if possible.
  
• May I apply to both offices? You may apply to both our Geneva and Washington, DC offices. Applying for internships with our Washington, DC office is a separate process, see that application page.

If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact