Office of the General Counsel [For-Credit] Externship - Summer 2026

OVERVIEW

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

Application Deadline: Application submissions for Office of the General Counsel  Externship – Summer 2026 will close on Friday, April 3rd at 11:59pm ET.

Program Duration: 

 Externs work from May 15th, 2026, to September 15, 2026 (dates may be flexible depending on school requirements).

Legal externs are given substantive opportunities to gain experience and learn as members of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”). The OGC is responsible for providing high-quality, cost-efficient, legal, and related services to our NPR clients. The OGC offers challenging and diverse work assignments for legal externs, including contract review and drafting, research, and training, and other projects reflective of the role of in-house attorneys at NPR. The legal team at NPR supports divisions across the organization on issues such as commercial and contract law; nonprofit tax; governance; technology (including software licensing, satellite distribution, and artificial intelligence); intellectual property (including music rights, content licensing, copyright, and trademark); FCC and other regulatory matters; First Amendment; and employment and labor (including Title VII, labor relations and employment law).

Extern Responsibilities

Legal externs should be prepared to contribute across all practice areas. Externs conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda, contracts, and other legal documents. They also have opportunities to participate in client meetings, trainings, legislative and regulatory meetings, and other “outside-the-library” projects, such as observing legal proceedings and attending legal training sessions offered through the District of Columbia Bar Association or other local organizations.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Education Requirement

• Education: Applicants must be current students in an accredited law school program (1L, 2L, 3L, or LLM).

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants should have relevant background experience, interest in the OGC practice areas, strong academic credentials, and legal research and writing skills. In addition, we seek candidates with a demonstrated interest in the media, technology, and/or non-profit fields, such as participation in relevant school activities and clinics and prior legal and/or non-legal positions in applicable industries.  

Work Location

• Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.

Job Type

• This is a for-credit or stipend-eligible externship.

Schedule

NPR generally offers legal externships throughout the year. During the Summer, externs are expected to work full-time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15 - 20 hours per week depending on school requirements) or full-time schedule.

Compensation

Course Credit: This externship is designed to be a learning experience for law students for which school credit must be obtained. Applicants must be able to comply with their school’s requirements for academic credit.

School-sponsored Stipends: This externship may alternately be compensated through a program in which the student receives a stipend from their school for non-profit work.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Please include the following to be considered:

• your resume
• your cover letter
• a copy of your unofficial law school transcript

#LI-Remote

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.NPR Pay Range$0.01—$0.01 USD

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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