Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program (IPIOP) Clerkships
The EPIC Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program (IPIOP) is an intensive legal internship with EPIC that is held during the summer, fall, and spring terms. IPIOP seeks outstanding law students interested in public interest issues related to the Internet to spend a summer or a semester at the EPIC office in Washington.
Description: Learn about the legislative process, public interest litigation, the Freedom of Information Act, online activism, and emerging Internet issues. The IPIOP Program gives law students the opportunity to actively participate in valuable programs in Internet law, policy, and legislation. IPIOP clerks also attend weekly seminars led by eminent scholars and practitioners in the field of Internet policy. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for clerks to experience first-hand the new and exciting intersection between Internet law and public policy.
Washington, D.C. provides an ideal location for an introduction to Internet law and policy. IPIOP clerks attend agency proceedings, policy meetings, Congressional hearings, and visit many landmarks in the Nation’s Capital.
Legislation: IPIOP clerks research and draft memoranda on critical issues before Congress, and attend hearings. Clerks learn about the legislative process, which is the critical opportunity for public interest organizations to make a case directly to lawmakers, to engage in discussion about the details of proposed legislation, and to establish connections with critical committees and decision makers.
Government Oversight: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a powerful tool for public interest organizations to learn about otherwise inscrutable governmental activities and to promote public oversight. Each IPIOP clerk researches, drafts, and submits a FOIA request on a controversial issue to one of many governmental agencies. Clerks also assist in litigating pending FOIA matters.
Litigation: Clerks assist EPIC staff in developing litigation strategy in key cases with significant impact on critical Internet issues. Clerk activities in this area include drafting memoranda, meeting with attorneys, and attending court hearings.
Collaboration: IPIOP works in association with public interest litigators and law school clinics across the country. A distinguished Advisory Committee oversees the work of IPIOP.
Qualifications: Energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. Currently enrolled in law school. (Students enrolled in non-US schools are welcome to apply.) Excellent writing and communication skills. Strong interest in civil liberties issues relating to the Internet, particularly free speech, privacy, open government, and democratic governance.
Application: Submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, law school transcripts, and three references as a combined PDF via email. Please use the email subject line “EPIC IPIOP Clerkship” and indicate semester or summer, e.g., “Fall 2015,” “Spring 2016,” or “Summer 2016.”
Application deadlines: Spring Semester (typically for an internship from Jan through April or May): September 1 – November 15; Summer (typically for an internship from May through July or August): November 1 – February 5; Fall Semester (typically for an internship from August or Sept through Dec): April 15 – July 15.
Applications will be evaluated as they are received. You are encouraged to apply early, as we will be accepting on a rolling basis. Compensation: Law schools routinely fund IPIOP clerkships. Upon law school approval, IPIOP clerks may also receive course credit for their time spent with EPIC. EPIC is happy to work with applicants to obtain funding from their respective law schools.
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