Legal Extern - Office of the General Counsel

Employment Type: Externship (for-credit or stipend-eligible) Location Type: Remote Permitted (based in Washington, DC office, but remote work is possible with approval) Program Duration: September 8th, 2025 - December 5th, 2025 (dates may be flexible)

Position Overview

NPR, a mission-driven multimedia organization, seeks Legal Externs to join its Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The OGC provides comprehensive legal services to NPR clients, offering externs substantive opportunities to gain experience in a dynamic in-house legal environment. This role involves challenging and diverse work assignments, contributing to NPR's mission and values.

About NPR

NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of public radio stations nationwide. Our audience and employees value information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility. We are innovators and leaders in various fields, including journalism, digital media, IT, and development. NPR is committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workplace where integrity, ethical standards, and legal compliance are paramount.

Extern Responsibilities

Legal externs will contribute across all practice areas within the OGC. Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting legal research.
• Preparing legal memoranda, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Participating in client meetings, trainings, and legislative/regulatory meetings.
• Engaging in "outside-the-library" projects, such as observing legal proceedings and attending legal training sessions.

Note: This list is not exhaustive; other duties may be assigned.

Education Requirement

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant background experience.
• Demonstrated interest in the OGC's practice areas:
  • Commercial and contract law
  • Nonprofit tax
  • Governance
  • Technology (software licensing, satellite distribution, AI)
  • Intellectual property (music rights, content licensing, copyright, trademark)
  • FCC and other regulatory matters
  • First Amendment
  • Employment and labor law (Title VII, labor relations)
• Strong academic credentials.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Demonstrated interest in media, technology, and/or non-profit fields (e.g., relevant school activities, clinics, prior legal/non-legal positions).

Schedule

• Summer Externships: Full-time (40 hours per week for 12 weeks).
• Fall/Spring Externships: Part-time (typically 15-20 hours per week, depending on school requirements) or full-time.

Application Instructions

Application submissions for the Office of the General Counsel Externship are accepted.