Office of the General Counsel Externship [For-Credit] – Spring 2025

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

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

Program Duration: January 13th, 2025 - April 4th, 2025 (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 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.

Application submissions for Office of the General Counsel Externship – Spring 2025 will close on October 20th 2024 at 11:59pm ET. 

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.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All externs must have authorization to work in the United States. Please  include the following to be considered:

• resume
• an unofficial law school transcript
• cover letter

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.

You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

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