INTERNSHIP OF THE WEEK: The Native American Rights Fund

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) offers professional development opportunities through internships and clerkships to students who are or have completed their second year of law school and who have an interest in the field of Indian law.

Summer Clerkships:

The NARF paid summer clerkship program provides a ten to twelve week (minimum 40 hours per week) professional experience to students who have completed their second year of law school. Although funding is provided by public interest funding programs, students are encouraged to seek additional financial compensation through their law school’s public interest program or other scholarships that are available for this type of experience. Each clerk will take part in challenging projects that consist mostly of research and writing.

School Year Clerkships & Internships:

NARF offers full and part-time college semester programs for students in their second year of law school. Students can elect to receive compensation or school credit for their internships.

Benefits:

Paid or for credit internships are available. Clerks in the NARF’s program will have access to some of the most excellent legal resources that are available in the country. A complete library provides documents and resources focusing on Indian issues. NARF also hosts special barbeques and educational attorney lunches for its clerks.

Location:

Summer and semester long programs are available for students attending school near one of NARF's three offices in Boulder, CO, Washington, DC, or Anchorage, AK.

To Apply:

NARF's clerkships are highly competitive and experience in Indian law or a background in Indian affairs is highly desirable.

The following documents must be submitted when applying:

• Cover Letter Addressed to Amy Bowers (please specify preferred NARF office)
• Resume
• Legal Writing Sample (the sample must be your own, rather than a collaborative effort)
• Law School Transcripts (official transcript preferred/unofficial transcripts accepted)
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

1. One from a current or former employer.
2. One from a law school professor, advisor or dean.
3. One of a more personal nature (tribal leader, coworker, or friend).

All letters should be addressed to Amy Bowers.

Applicants must submit all materials to:

Clerkship Program
Attn. Eric Anderson
Native American Rights Fund
1506 Broadway
Boulder, Colorado 80302

Deadline to apply for Summer 2011 is October 31st and final selections and notifications will be made by December 15. Semester long internships are selected on a rolling basis. It is recommended that all applications be submitted early in the previous semester.

Please email Eric Anderson at anderson@narf.org for additional information and questions about the program.