American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Legal Extern Fall 2026
Summary:
The ASPCA’s Legal Department helps the ASPCA to achieve its organizational goals of preventing animal cruelty and ending animal homelessness while assessing and managing risk. The Legal Department’s role is primarily a supportive one, enabling departments to more efficiently and effectively conduct their core functions by, among other things: (i) providing strategic analysis and advice on emergent legal issues; (ii) planning for recurring areas of legal risk and potential liability; (iii) providing strategic planning assistance to avoid unnecessary risk; and (iv) advising staff at all levels on steps that should be taken to ensure compliance with existing laws, regulations and guidelines. The Legal Department of the ASPCA serves as in-house counsel for the organization, dealing with a variety of areas of law (including intellectual property, contracts, negligence, trusts and estates, employment law, tax, and the enforcement of animal cruelty laws). We provide legal advice to every department within the ASPCA.
Application Deadline: The application for this position will close at 9:00 AM on Monday July 6th, 2026. Candidates that do not submit applications before this deadline will not be considered.
Who We Are
The ASPCA’s Legal team provides full-service legal consultation to each department to ensure that risk is appropriately evaluated and managed or mitigated. They provide oversight and guidance on various internal and external policies, contracts, grant agreements, compliance, and protocols, as well as oversee the ASPCA’s safety, security, and risk-management efforts.
Where and When You’ll Work
This remote-based position is open to all eligible (see eligibility below) candidates based within the United States.
Externship Structure:
This is a paid externship and is structured as a learning or work study program at the graduate school level. Students will be mentored by professional attorneys.
The duration of each externship position is flexible and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the position is aligned with school semesters and is part-time during the school year (up to approximately 20 hours per week) and full-time in the summer.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in law school
Candidates will be supervised by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in NY and NJ and candidates must be able to be supervised by an attorney licensed in those states. Candidates attending schools that require supervision in a state other than those listed are not eligible.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Pay rate is based on where the intern works, which for remote roles is the intern’s primary location of residence. You can view which zone applies to you based on your location (aspca.app.box.com/v/aspcazonetable). For questions regarding locations not on the list, please send an email to [email protected] for more information.
The pay rate for this seasonal intern role is:
Zone 1: $18.00/hour
Zone 2: $19.00/hour
Zone 3: $20.00/hour
Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.
Responsibilities:
What You’ll Do
Legal Interns report directly to the Director, Legal Counsel and have no direct reports.
Externship responsibilities may include, but shall not be limited to:
- Researching legal issues and drafting memos related to various corporate issues, helping to provide legal counsel to the business managers on intellectual property and general business issues, and providing general legal support within the ASPCA where needed.
- Reviewing and drafting various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including confidentiality agreements, content licenses, consulting contracts, etc.), and providing advice to internal clients in order to further related negotiations with third parties.
- Conducting background research to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws and internal policies, including performing research and analysis on diverse substantive and procedural issues, such as a wide variety of issues relevant to ASPCA initiatives and programs.
- Creating templates, resources, and other educational materials.
Qualifications
Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:
- Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
- Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
- Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
- Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
- Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals
Language
- English (Required)
Education and Work Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree (required)
Language:
EnglishEducation and Work Experience:
Bachelors (Required)
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