2020 Legislative Internship
This internship is an immersive experience held in the spring of each year when the Alabama Legislature is in session to expose college students to the legislative process. Interns (assigned to either a group of Senators or to several House committees—all located in the State House in Montgomery, Alabama) assist committee clerks with committee preparation and attend all assigned committees. Interns perform non-legal research for legislative members and assist with constituent services. Observation of the legislative process is emphasized and when the legislature is in session (most Tuesdays and Thursdays), interns are often in the House chamber or Senate gallery observing the process in action.
The 2020 Legislative Internship Program will open with an orientation session one week prior to the beginning of the 2020 Legislative Session. The internship will begin on January 27, 2020 and will run through May 18, 2020 (or whenever the legislature adjourns if sooner). Again, all interns are placed in the State House in Montgomery, Alabama, and the hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 – 4:30. While not required, interns are encouraged to take advantage of any days when the legislature stays late to conduct business so that they can get the “full flavor” of the legislative process. In addition to the above, interns submit weekly journal entries to me (and to their college professors if receiving college credit). Resume work and mock interviews are available upon request.
This internship is unpaid; however, college credit is given by most colleges/universities in the state for the experience (several universities give a full 12 hours for the experience). Each student works with their own university with support provided by the Law Institute to provide all required evaluations and documentation needed for credit. We do have many December graduates who participate as well. Almost all interns have some ties to the state of Alabama; however, we do make some exceptions for interested students attending out of state universities.
Application deadline has been extended until January 15, 2020. Applications can be obtained from the Legislative Services Agency website: www.lsa.state.al.us. Click on the Law Institute Division and follow the internship links. You must submit 2 letters of reference with your application. DO NOT APPLY VIA HANDSHAKE.