The Lone Star Justice Alliance stands with young people to advocate for systems that treat them as children and allow them to thrive. We push for change through strategic litigation, appellate advocacy, amicus (friend of the court) briefs, and professional training and education. We challenge the laws and policies that send children to adult courts and fight for systemic changes that enforce constitutional rights to due process and access to counsel. Our Strategic Litigation Team works to ensure that laws and practices are informed by research, consistent with children’s developmental needs, and reflect best practices for thriving youth. 

Our legal efforts focus on challenging unjust laws and practices, particularly those that criminalize and excessively punish young people. We work tirelessly to end the prosecution of youth in adult courts, ensuring they are treated as children with the capacity for growth and change. Our team files impactful challenges to extreme sentences in the form of lawsuits, appellate briefs, and amicus briefs.  Our litigation seeks to protect the constitutional rights of youth, including access to counsel, due process, and age-appropriate rehabilitative opportunities. 

Intern responsibilities are likely to include significant client contact, fact witness interviews, legal research, and the drafting of precedent setting briefs and other legal pleadings. Interns will be involved in strategic decision-making concerning the framing of litigation and will have access and input regarding any court filings and proceedings.  

Duties: 

• Legal Research and Writing 

• Conduct thorough legal research on constitutional, civil rights, and criminal justice issues. 

• Draft memoranda, motions, briefs, and other legal documents for strategic litigation efforts. 

• Analyze legal precedents and provide recommendations for case strategies. 

• Investigation and Client Interaction 

• Support attorneys in client and witness interviews, fact-gathering, and narrative development for case strategy. 

• Work closely with clients to ensure their voices are central to the litigation process. 

• Conduct factual mitigation research on clients, witnesses, and other relevant actors to support litigation goals. 

• Synthesize investigative materials—such as interview notes, timelines, and evidence—into summary formats (e.g., demonstratives, thematic charts, or narrative outlines) that help illuminate a case theory, highlight patterns, and support strategic decision-making.   
• Professional Development 

• Participate in mentorship opportunities with experienced litigators. 

• Present research findings or case updates during team meetings. 

• Engage in peer-to-peer learning through intern-led collaborative projects. 

• Attend workshops, hearings, and other professional events to broaden your understanding of the legal system. 

• Receive feedback on written work and oral advocacy to strengthen legal skills. 

What You’ll Gain: 

• Practical experience in high-stakes civil rights and criminal reform litigation. 

• A deeper understanding of how strategic litigation drives systemic change. 

• Mentorship from skilled attorneys committed to professional and personal growth. 

• A network of like-minded peers and professionals dedicated to advancing justice. 

This internship is ideal for law students with a passion for strategic litigation, a commitment to justice, and the drive to make a tangible impact. Apply now and join us in using the power of the law to create lasting change. 

Please submit resume, cover letter, and writing sample to internships@lsja.org.  

Supervisor: Elizabeth Henneke 

The Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA) stands with young people to advocate for systems that treat them as children and allow them to thrive. We push for change through policy reform, legislative advocacy, professional training and education, and research-driven initiatives. We work to transform the systems that entangle youth and emerging adults, ensuring laws and policies are grounded in developmental science, best practices, and a commitment to rehabilitation over punishment. 

Our Policy Program focuses on identifying and challenging laws and policies that disproportionately harm youth and emerging adults, particularly those that criminalize and excessively punish young people of color. Through research, data analysis, policy advocacy, and coalition-building, we seek to support policies that foster second chances and promote pathways to education, employment, and healing. LSJA works to elevate the voices of directly impacted youth in all aspects of our advocacy, ensuring that reforms are shaped by their lived experiences. 

Intern responsibilities will center on supporting the policy team’s work to research systemic issues, analyze past legislative efforts, track trends in juvenile and criminal justice policy, and identify opportunities for reform. Interns will gain hands-on experience in policy research, data analysis, and advocacy strategy development. 

Duties 

Policy Research and Analysis 

• Conduct research on local, state, and federal laws, policies, and practices impacting justice-involved youth and emerging adults. 

• Analyze existing policies and their impact on youth justice outcomes, with a focus on racial and socioeconomic disparities. 

• Assist in tracking national and state-level trends in juvenile and emerging adult justice policy. 

Data Review and Analysis 

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from past legislative sessions to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of prior youth justice policies and initiatives. 

• Assist in compiling and synthesizing research and data into internal reports and briefing materials for LSJA’s policy team. 

Policy Development and Advocacy Support 

• Support the development of policy proposals and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for justice-involved youth. 

• Assist in preparing presentations, reports, and educational materials for stakeholders, including policymakers, community organizations, and advocacy coalitions. 

• Contribute to stakeholder outreach and coalition coordination to advance LSJA’s policy goals. 

Collaborative Projects 

• Work alongside a multidisciplinary team of policy experts, attorneys, and community advocates to connect legal strategies with policy reform efforts. 

• Assist in developing training and educational materials to equip attorneys, advocates, and community members with policy knowledge. 

Qualifications 

• Demonstrated interest in public interest policy, juvenile justice reform, and social justice. 

• Strong organizational and research skills. 

• Excellent writing and analysis skills. 

• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and a willingness to learn new platforms and tools. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. 

• Open to both Graduate and Undergraduate students, with coursework or experience in public policy, political science, criminal justice, social work, or related fields. 

How to Apply 

Submit a resume, brief cover letter, and writing sample (legal or policy-related preferred) to internships@lsja.org with the subject line Advocacy Intern Application – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

The Communications, Writing & Research Intern will support Lone Star Justice Alliance’s communications strategy through writing, editing, research, and media support. This role is well-suited for an intern interested in public relations, nonprofit communications, policy storytelling, and research-informed messaging. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Assist in drafting and editing internal and external communications materials, including newsletters, press releases, blog posts, and web content. 
• Conduct research to support communications planning, storytelling, and strategic initiatives. 
• Monitor media outlets for articles LSJA was featured in or quoted in. 
• Maintain and update media lists, communications databases, and archives. 
• Support the planning and execution of organizational events, including webinars, conferences, and fundraising events (e.g., Sweet Taste of Justice). 
• Assist with internal communications and documentation as needed. 
• Provide general administrative support to the ReImagine Justice department as needed. 

Qualifications 

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field. 
• Excellent writing, editing, and research skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 
• Knowledge of AP style is desirable but not required. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. 
• Prior internship experience in communications or research is a plus. 

Benefits 

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit communications, research, and public relations. 
• Opportunities to contribute to high-impact storytelling and media efforts. 
• Portfolio-building writing and research experience. 

Duration 

3-month internship, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. 

How to Apply

Submit a resume, brief cover letter, and writing sample to internships@lsja.org with the subject line Communications: R&W Intern Application – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.