Summer 2015 Lawfare Internship

Internship Summary This summer internship, beginning in June 2015, is a paid opportunity for undergraduate students, recent college graduates or graduate students with an interest in national security.  Interns will be responsible for helping to run and maintain Lawfare, a website devoted to serious, non-ideological discussion of national security legal and policy issues. Lawfare has emerged as the internet’s indispensable resource for information and analysis on the law of national security. Devoted to “Hard National Security Choices,” the site features top-quality writing and analysis from experts on developing stories in the national security arena, relevant legislation, and judicial opinions. It is a digital magazine that includes a podcast, a book review, research tools, a daily news roundup, an events calendar, and exhaustive coverage of events other media touch only glancingly. This internship pays an hourly rate of $10.50, and ideally applicants will work full-time (40 hours per week) but no less than 28- 32 hours per week, during regular business hours (dependent on the applicant’s school schedule), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. The internship is based in Washington, DC and will last approximately 10- 12 weeks (depending on the start date). Primary Responsibilities The Lawfare intern’s responsibilities fall into three categories: Writing:

• Work with Associate Editor to monitor national security and foreign policy developments, and 2-3 times per week, co-write “Today’s Headlines and Commentary.”
• Work with Associate Editor to co-write “The Week that Will Be,” a weekly feature that outlines upcoming events, academic announcements, and employment announcements.
• Work with the Associate Editor to co-write a regular deep-dive analytical piece on a relevant national security law and policy issue.
• Sole-author “The Week that Was,” a weekly piece that provides a guide to the week’s Lawfare

Research:

• Provide research support to the Lawfare editorial team as needed. Current projects include a book manuscript on data and technology proliferation and their implications for security; a paper on technology and privacy; and a paper on military justice.
• Work to develop the Lawfare Wiki by taking a deep research dive into one or two areas of national security law. The intern will identify key primary source materials, summarize relevant documents, and create and develop the topic page on Lawfare.

Maintaining the blog:

• Tag and categorize all Lawfare posts
• Track relevant Congressional hearings
• Track and add relevant events to the Events Calendar

In addition to providing support to the Lawfare directly, interns will have the opportunity to attend internal meetings, hearings on Capitol Hill, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events as well as participate on Brookings sports teams and network with other interns throughout the Institution. Education/Skills/ Experience Graduate or undergraduate students (who has completed their sophomore year) working towards a degree in government, political science and law are encouraged to apply.  Recent college graduates are also eligible to apply.  Our most successful interns have very strong writing, analytical, and research skills, as well as excellent verbal and organizational skills---preferably demonstrated through prior independent research or previous experience as a research assistant. Application Procedure Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.  A complete application will include the following items:

• Cover letter highlighting your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional career goals.
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three academic or professional references
• Original writing sample ( no more than two pages)

Please email a complete application with "Your Name -- Lawfare" in the subject line to Cody Poplin at Cpoplin@brookings.edu.  Brookings is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. No phone calls please. For examples of previous intern projects, see the author pages below: Sebastian Brady Benjamin Bissell Tara Hofbauer