The ACLU of South Carolina is hiring a paid Harry G. Wilkinson Legal Intern for the summer of 2026. A competitive applicant must have excellent research and writing skills, a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties issues, and an intent to practice law in South Carolina upon graduation.
Responsibilities
The Wilkinson intern will work closely with the ACLU-SC legal and advocacy staff to support the work of the affiliate. Projects may include researching and drafting legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, and briefs; analyzing existing or future legislation; meeting with clients, coalition partners, or community members; attending events; and participating in strategy discussions.
The Wilkinson intern will be expected to complete at least one substantial research and writing project over the summer. The affiliate will work with the intern to ensure that the final product can be redacted for later use as a writing sample.
Experience & Qualifications
A competitive applicant must demonstrate:
- Completion of 2 years of studies at an accredited law school by summer 2026
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Commitment to protecting and advancing civil rights and civil liberties in South Carolina
- Ability to work independently and see tasks through to completion
- Commitment to treating others with respect and empathy
A competitive applicant may also have:
- Relevant clinical experience
- Completion of (and high grades in): Federal Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction/Courts, Section 1983 Litigation, and Constitutional Law
Because ACLU-SC sees this internship as an opportunity to invest in the training of future South Carolina lawyers, preference will be given to applicants who attend the University of South Carolina School of Law and the College of Charleston School of Law.
Internship Details
The Wilkinson Internship is a full time, 10-week position. The intern will start in early June 2026. Compensation will be $8,400. Our office is located in Columbia, SC, but remote work will be considered.
Application Instructions
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to [email protected] with the subject line “2026 Wilkinson Internship” no later than November 15. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
If you are applying for the SLIP internship and would also like to be considered for this internship based on your SLIP submission, please send an email with that request to [email protected], also with the subject line “2026 Wilkinson Internship.”
About Us
The American Civil Liberties Union is one of the oldest, largest, and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. At the ACLU of South Carolina, we advocate, litigate, educate, and mobilize to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties in South Carolina. A non-exhaustive list of our cases can be found here.
About Harry G. Wilkinson
Lawyer and civil rights activist Harry G. Wilkinson was born in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Harry worked for the U.S. Senate where he drafted bail reform and VISTA (domestic peace corps) legislation. He then joined the Department of Justice and was deployed throughout the South to mediate community racial disputes as the country adapted to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Afterwards, Harry joined the Peace Corps, and later the U.S. Agency for International Development, serving over the years in Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and South Africa. Harry retired to Greenville, South Carolina, where he served on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of South Carolina, continuing his lifelong passion to support human and civil rights.
