Policy Counsel Intern

Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund seek 4 rising 2L or rising 3L law student interns for their New York or Washington, D.C. offices. PPFA operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least 2 days per week in-office. The internship is a full-time position and requires a commitment of 10 weeks, beginning late May and ending early August. Final dates to be determined in the Spring.  This job reports to the Director of Operations in PPFA's Public Policy Litigation and Law Department ("Lit and Law"). Lit and Law represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in matters that affect the Planned Parenthood mission. Lit and Law provides legal advice to, and, when appropriate, conducts litigation in state and federal courts across the country on behalf of, PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in order to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care. 

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit a resume, a writing sample (5-7 page limit), and a cover letter indicating your relevant experience and interest in interning for PPFA.

Lit and Law is hiring for litigation and policy interns [link to separate policy posting in Lever]. If you are interested in both positions, please indicate so in your cover letter. There is no need to submit two separate applications. 

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Priority will be given to applications submitted by or before November 24, 2025, with a final deadline of December 5,

Lit and Law interns are full-time hourly employees compensated at a rate of $22 per hour, for 35 hours per week, for up to 10 weeks between late May and early August (exact start and end dates to be determined.) Lit and Law interns are not eligible for employee benefits due to the temporary nature of employment. 

Purpose:

●PPFA's Lit and Law team conducts constitutional impact litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Lit and Law also provides strategic legal advice on legislation in Congress and state legislatures and on regulatory issues at the national, state, and local levels.

Engagement: 

●Policy Counsel Interns work closely with Lit and Law policy counsel on a wide variety of policy-related responsibilities, including conducting legal research and analysis and drafting memoranda, talking points, and issue-specific backgrounders. Interns will be invited to participate in conversations with affiliates and coalition partners throughout the summer. 

Delivery:

●Policy Counsel Interns: The Lit and Law State Policy team provides strategic legal advice to affiliate health centers about their proactive and defensive legislative and administrative goals and provides analysis and support on state policy work related to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including but not limited to access to abortion and contraception, sexual and reproductive health education, gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, and Medicaid coverage. We assist affiliates in their efforts to defeat or repeal laws and policies that restrict Planned Parenthood patients' access to comprehensive reproductive health services and in their efforts to enact laws and policies that expand access to such services. Our team also provides analysis and legal advice on regulatory issues at the state and local levels.

●Performs other duties as assigned. (Do not remove this bullet)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

●Rising 2L or rising 3L law students preferred

●Excellent research and writing skills, enthusiasm for working with [litigation or policy] attorneys, a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and a strong interest in reproductive rights and justice, health law, racial and economic justice, and/or public interest law more generally.

Travel:  N/A

Planned Parenthood's cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.