NPR
Office of the General Counsel Copyright [For-Credit] Externship - Summer 2026
OVERVIEW
A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.
Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.
Application Deadline: Application submissions for Office of the General Counsel (Copyright) Externship – Summer 2026 will close on Friday, April 3, at 11:59pm ET.
Program Duration:
- Externs work from May 15th, 2026 - September 15, 2026 (dates may be flexible depending on school requirements).
Legal externs are vital contributors to the work of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”). The OGC is responsible for providing high-quality, cost-efficient, legal and related services to our NPR clients to achieve its mission of service to the public.
NPR is looking for a 2L or 3L who has a strong interest in copyright law, has taken a course in copyright law, and has comprehensive knowledge of basic copyright principles and fair use. The externship will provide an excellent opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the many legal issues involved in fair use analysis, rights management, and the audio licensing process.
We are interviewing for Spring 2026.
NPR offers legal externships throughout the year. Course credit may be obtained by arrangement with individual law schools. During the summer, law clerks are expected to work full-time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15-20 hours per week) or a full-time schedule. Fall and Spring externships must be for course credit.
ResponsibilitiesThe extern will gain practical experience working on issues related to copyright, fair use, and audio licensing, which will include assisting senior counsel with the following tasks:
- Evaluating copyright issues in audio content (and occasional video content)
- Researching copyright issues
- Making fair use determinations
- Drafting and/or organizing permissions agreements and otherwise assessing legal aspects of proposed licensing agreements
- Assisting with Rights Management issues
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Preferred Qualifications- Fair Use
- Copyright Law
- Licensing
- Intellectual Property
- Education: Must be a current student in an accredited law degree program .
- Copyright Course: Candidates must have taken a course in copyright law or equivalent and be well-versed in the principles of fair use. Prior experience with licensing issues is preferred but not required.
- NPR Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.
- This is a for-credit or stipend-eligible externship.
NPR generally offers legal externships throughout the year. During the summer, law clerks are expected to work full time, 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Fall and Spring externships can be on a part-time schedule (usually 15 - 20 hours per week depending on school requirements) or full-time schedule.
CompensationCourse Credit: This externship is designed to be a learning experience for law students for which school credit must be obtained. Applicants must be able to comply with their school’s requirements for academic credit.
School-sponsored Stipends: During the summer, this externship may alternately be compensated through a program in which the student receives a stipend from their school for non-profit work.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
- resume
- cover letter
- Please make sure you explain thoroughly your interest in and experience with copyright law.
- All applicants must have taken copyright law before the externship begins, and your cover letter must say when and where you took the course.
#LI-Remote
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to [email protected].
You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.
Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers.
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