International Bar Association Legal Internship Programme

Intern positions are available for undergraduate law students, postgraduate law students, and newly qualified lawyers at the International Bar Association's offices in London and Washington DC.

Founded in 1947, the International Bar Association (IBA) is the world's largest organisation of law societies, bar associations, law firms and individual lawyers. The IBA is involved with cutting edge issues affecting the international legal community and as an intern you can become involved in the work of the Association.

The IBA plays an active role in:

• promoting the status and independence of the profession
• bringing lawyers together to exchange information and to discuss matters of mutual concern
• promoting the administration of justice under the rule of law
• promoting human rights
• promoting commercial and economic law reform

Intern role

Selected interns will assist the IBA in developing academic papers and research on key legal topics of both local and international relevance. Interns will have an opportunity to become involved in the work of the following aspects of the Association:

• supporting the IBA's Human Rights Institute
• supporting the IBA's Legal Policy & Research Unit (commercial and business law)
• supporting the IBA's International Criminal Court (ICC) Programme
• supporting the IBA’s Washington DC Office.

Interns will be able to draft policy papers on substantive legal issues as well as assisting in preparing background research for grant proposals. Interns will also be able to assist in implementing technical assistance programmes in developing countries.

How to Apply

Send the following explaining your interest in the IBA Internship Programme (addresses below):

1. Covering letter - this should set out the following:
     - Why you wish to be considered for an intern position
     - The dates you would be able to take up your position
     - Specific research experience and areas of law that you are interested in
    
2. Full Curriculum Vitae (CV / resume)
    
3. Application form (you must save this form to your computer before filling it in):
   • APPLICATION FORM FOR AN IBA INTERNSHIP POSITION – London
   • APPLICATION FORM FOR AN IBA INTERNSHIP POSITION – Washington DC
   • APPLICATION FORM FOR AN IBA INTERNSHIP POSTION - The Hague
      
4. Writing sample* - The writing sample could be a legal essay that you have written for your college degree programme or a report that you have written on a legal topic of interest. Sample must be in English only and not more than 4-5 pages in length. Because of the nature of the internship placements, much of the work will involve writing reports, letters, or assisting in the preparation of academic articles. The writing sample is useful for us to see how you structure a piece of written work and how you form and support an argument.
    
5. Letter of reference - a letter from an academic tutor or employer mentioning your academic background, personality and suitability for the internship programme. This should be sent directly by your referee. If you are applying for funding, your academic referee should state their opinion on your eligibility to receive a grant as part of their overall reference.

To find out what former interns are now doing, please look at our Intern Alumni pages.

Applications, reference letters and questions regarding London internships should be sent via e-mail to internprogramme@int-bar.org or by post to:

Mrs Ele Dexter
Intern Programme Manager
International Bar Association
4th Floor, 10 St Bride Street
London, EC4A 4AD
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)20 7842 0090

Applications, reference letters and questions regarding  Washington DC internships should be sent via e-mail to sosseh.prom@int-bar.org or by post to:

Ms Sosseh Prom, Program Associate
International Bar Association, North America Office
1667 K Street NW, Suite 1230
Washington, DC 20006

Phone: +1 202 827 3274