NY Policy Internship

LEGAL ACTION CENTER

NY Policy Internship

Fall 2026 • September–December • 15 hrs./week •  New York

Want your policy internship to leave a mark before you even graduate? At the Legal Action Center, you won't be fetching coffee or shadowing meetings — you'll be building the fact sheets that county legislators use to hold agencies accountable, and the data analysis that shapes how millions in opioid settlement dollars get spent across New York State.

If you're the kind of person who gets genuinely excited about a well-organized spreadsheet, believes data should drive justice (not just headlines), and wants real advocacy experience on your resume — keep reading.

What You'll Actually Do

This internship centers on New York's Opioid Settlement Fund — one of the largest public health funding opportunities the state has seen in a generation, and one that's chronically under-scrutinized. You'll help make sure it isn't.

Dig into the data

• Pull spending records straight from county requests FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) and turn confusing government data into clean, workable Excel spreadsheets.
• Run hands-on analysis of what counties are actually spending settlement dollars on, who's receiving the funding, and whether it's hitting the mark — no advanced stats background required, just curiosity and comfort in Excel.

Turn findings into advocacy that moves people

• Co-develop a fact sheet for every county — clear, punchy, built to educate legislators, state agencies, and the public on how opioid settlement money is really being used.
• There may be an opportunity to contribute to op-eds and public-facing pieces that put your data analysis directly into the statewide conversation.
• Sit in on Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board meetings, legislative sessions, and monthly coalition meetings — the rooms where this funding actually gets decided.

A second track, if timing and funding align

Depending on funding and the length of your internship, you may also join our campaign on the Fair Chance Act, working to limit which convictions employers can weigh in hiring decisions. On this track, you'd build fact sheets, talking points, testimony, and memos of support, and represent LAC in coalition and legislative meetings.

Core Responsibilities

Policy & Data Analysis

• Sort and analyze state and county spending on opioid abatement initiatives using Excel and other tools
• Assess the real-world impact of specific policies and programs, including effects on marginalized communities

Policy Advocacy & Engagement

• Draft advocacy materials for legislators, state agencies, and the public
• Attend advocacy events, agency meetings, and legislative advocacy days
• Draft testimony and talking points for public hearings and legislator meetings
• Engage directly with coalition partners and external stakeholders

What We're Looking For

• Currently a graduate student, or an undergrad in your junior or senior year
• Solid qualitative and quantitative research instincts
• Some experience with data analysis — comfort in Excel matters far more than a stats background
• Strong writer and communicator, on paper and in the room
• Can manage relationships with external stakeholders professionally and confidently
• Bonus: familiarity with relevant public policy areas

The Details

Schedule

15 hours per week, for twelve weeks (September–December 2026)

Pay

$20/hour for interns not receiving outside funding or academic credit

Location

New York, NY

How to Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to HumanResources@lac.org with “NY Policy Internship” in the subject line.

• Your cover letter should share what draws you to LAC's work.
• Your writing sample should run five to ten pages.
• Submit your resume, cover letter, and writing sample together as a single PDF — applications submitted any other way won't be considered.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Legal Action Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Individuals directly affected or impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.