Internship Opportunities

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, one of the oldest civil rights enforcement agencies in the United States, has openings for law student interns in its Legal Division and in its Executive Office. The Commission also has limited openings for college and motivated high school students in the Legal Division, in the Contract Compliance Unit, and in our Executive Office.

The Legal Division litigates complaints of employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination as well as whistleblower retaliation claims. The Legal Division also represents the agency in other matters at the trial and appellate levels in state (and occasionally federal) courts.

The Contract Compliance Unit has the responsibility to review, monitor and enforce the equal opportunity, affirmative action and contract compliance laws of the state as they apply to contractors (including subcontractors and suppliers to contractors) who do business with the state.

The Executive Office consists of the agency’s upper management: our Executive Director and Deputy Director. The Executive Office is responsible for policy making, legislative matters and education and outreach efforts. As a long-time attorney at the Commission, the Deputy Director also plays a critical role in the Commission’s legal workings.

Most internships are unpaid. The agency will have limited funds available for small student stipends. Since the academic requirements of participating institutions of higher education may vary, each intern should consult with their college or university advisor or internship director for specific academic requirements and credits to be awarded (if applicable) for participation in the program.

INTERNSHIPS IN THE LEGAL DIVISION

The Legal Division operates as a governmental law office staffed by the Principal Attorney, Human Rights Attorneys, investigators, paralegal and a secretary. The workload of the Division divides into three general areas: (1) preparing cases for hearing; (2) writing amicus curiae briefs or performing in-house administrative written work; and (3) mediating and investigating discriminatory practice and whistleblower retaliation complaints. Interns may concentrate in one area or any combination of areas, but normally see a bit of each during their summer.

Preparing Cases for Hearing

Case preparation involves preparing discrimination and whistleblower retaliation cases for litigation before human rights referees, who function as administrative law judges, or in Connecticut trial courts. Assignments may also include responding to individual legal questions that arise during the course of complaint investigation or in judicial proceedings or questioning witnesses at fact-finding. Internship duties will typically include legal research and writing, drafting pleadings and interrogatories, interviewing witnesses prior to trial and engaging in settlement negotiations. Students admitted under Connecticut's student practice rule may have an opportunity to question witnesses in public hearings or to argue in court.

Brief Writing and In-House Administrative Assignments

Brief writing and in-house administrative assignments include the opportunity to prepare briefs in cases raising significant questions of public policy in the state and federal courts and to identify cases raising significant issues from among cases in current court dockets in which the agency may intervene. Students will also review and make recommendations on cases dismissed by the agency to determine whether the dismissal should be reconsidered. Work may include research into other areas of agency authority, such as contract compliance and affirmative action.

Mediation of Discriminatory Practice Complaints

Students who have completed a standard 40-hour mediation certification course or who have taken coursework in mediation in law school will be able to mediate cases almost immediately. Students with an interest in mediation but no exposure will work with attorneys in the Legal Division to develop the necessary skills prior to conducting mediations. Students can mediate cases in our central office in Hartford or one of our four regional offices.

Students in 2011 argued a motion in the Connecticut Appellate Court, wrote briefs in cases for the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts and mediated discrimination complaints. Students in 2012 wrote and argued an objection to a motion to dismiss in a whistleblower retaliation case before a human rights referee, prepared cases for public hearing, questioned witnesses in fact-findings, wrote a brief in a case pending in the Appellate Court and conducted numerous mediations. Students in 2013 prepared and argued an objection to discovery in U.S. District Court, conducted numerous mediations, filed discovery requests and other prehearing motions before the Office of Public Hearings and drafted a brief in an administrative appeal and later argued it in Superior Court. Students in 2014 prepared an amicus curiae brief in a case in the Appellate Court raising the issue of whether punitive damages should be available for victims of discrimination, an amicus curiae brief in a free speech case in the Connecticut Supreme Court (read decision here) and an amicus curiae brief in a whistleblower retaliation case in the Appellate Court. They also presented the Commission's case in a default hearing before the Office of Public Hearings, prepared cases for trial, conducted fact-findings, mediations and training sessions for members of the public. Students in 2015 mediated and investigated discriminatory practice complaints, drafted and filed motions and objections in Superior Court, prepared cases for public hearing, participated in numerous education and outreach events (Pipeline to Prison Forum, Leaders and Legends awards, Kids' Speak, Kids' Court) and did intake for housing discrimination complaints.

Depending on the workload of the office and interest and skill level of the intern, assignments will range from glamorous to routine. Interns will leave with hands-on experience performing a range of challenging assignments involving actual law work, not answering the phone, copying or filing. Your experience this summer will be invaluable in preparing you for a career in public interest law or governmental service. You will work in an office where you will be treated like a part of the legal team and work collaboratively with attorneys. Work hours are flexible.

While students are responsible for finding their own funding, the Commission has been able to provide small stipends ($500–$2,500) the past two years to some law students interning in the Legal Division.

Students should submit an application package that includes a cover letter explaining your background and interest in the position; a résumé; and a writing sample. Submission by email at the address below is preferred. The cover letter should indicate: (1) why you are interested in working in civil rights and your background for that work; (2) whether you wish to intern in the Legal Division or Office of Public Hearings; (3) whether you prefer to work full-time or part-time; and (4) whether you will be applying for a grant or other funding.

For additional information, please feel free to contact Kimberly Jacobsen and Michelle Dumas Keuler, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 2, Hartford, CT 06103; Email: Internship Opportunities

INTERNSHIPS IN THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE UNIT

Connecticut state government spends well in excess of one billion dollars each year to purchase supplies, legal, medical and other professional services, and public works contracting services. Those who have contracts with the state to provide these services bear a special responsibility to assure that their employment and subcontracting procedures promote equal opportunity for all persons. Contract compliance laws were enacted as a means of providing equal employment opportunities for minorities and female workers and economic development and business growth opportunities for small contractors and minority and women owned businesses through the distribution of state contracting dollars. Further information can be found here.

Interns in this office will have a personalized experience centering each student’s specific passions within the context of the Unit’s work. Both part-time and full-time internships are possible, as are in-person, hybrid, and remote internships. Limited opportunities may be available for high school students on a case-by-case basis.

Relevant experience is not necessary; however, professionalism, enthusiasm and soft skills are non-negotiable.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Interested students should submit, via email to james.murray@ct.gov, the following documents:

Cover letter,
Résumé, and
Unofficial transcript.

INTERNSHIPS IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE

The Executive Office is currently accepting applications from driven undergraduate, graduate, and law school students for internship opportunities. Depending on the workload of the office and interest and skill level of the intern, assignments will range from glamorous to routine. You will complete a range of challenging and stimulating assignments; by the end of your internship, you will have invaluable experience that prepares you for a career in public interest law, governmental service, or related fields. While it should go without saying, you will be treated as a member of our team and will, at different points, work collaboratively with everyone in the Executive Office. Work hours are flexible.

The Executive Office, which shoulders the ultimate responsibility for the agency’s operations, consists of the Executive Director, the Deputy Director, two executive secretaries, the outreach coordinator, and the legislative liaison. The Executive Office is responsible for policy making, legislative matters and education and outreach efforts. Taking part in the Commission’s extensive outreach efforts, undergraduate and graduate interns in this office will have the opportunity to organize a symposium on a current human rights issue, create public service announcements and materials, and engage in other public informational efforts.

Meanwhile, under the supervision of the Deputy Director, who is an attorney with considerable experience, law students who intern in the Executive Office will primarily (1) prepare cases for hearing; (2) write amicus curiae briefs or performing in-house administrative written work; and (3) mediate and investigate discriminatory practice and whistleblower retaliation complaints. Interns in the Executive Office may concentrate in one area or any combination of areas, but generally get a taste of each during their time at the Commission.

Preparing Cases for Hearing: Case preparation involves preparing discrimination and whistleblower retaliation cases for litigation before human rights referees, who function as administrative law judges, or in Connecticut trial courts. Assignments may also include responding to individual legal questions that arise during the course of complaint investigation or in judicial proceedings or questioning witnesses at fact-finding. Internship duties will typically include legal research and writing, drafting pleadings and interrogatories, interviewing witnesses prior to trial, and engaging in settlement negotiations. Students admitted under Connecticut's student practice rule may have an opportunity to question witnesses in public hearings or to argue in court.

Brief Writing and In-House Administrative Assignments: Brief writing and in-house administrative assignments include the opportunity to prepare briefs in cases raising significant questions of public policy in the state and federal courts and to identify cases raising significant issues from among cases in current court dockets in which the agency may intervene. Students will also review and make recommendations on cases dismissed by the agency to determine whether the dismissal should be reconsidered. Work may include research into other areas of agency authority, such as contract compliance and affirmative action.

Mediation of Discriminatory Practice Complaints: Students who have completed a standard 40-hour mediation certification course or who have taken coursework in mediation in law school will be able to mediate cases almost immediately. Students with an interest in mediation but no exposure will work with attorneys in the Legal Division to develop the necessary skills prior to conducting mediations. Students can mediate cases in our central office in Hartford or one of our four regional offices.

Students should submit an application package that includes a cover letter explaining your background and interest in the position; a résumé; and a writing sample. Submission by email at the address below is preferred. The cover letter should indicate: (1) why you are interested in working in civil rights and your background for that work; (2) whether you prefer to work full-time or part-time; and (3) whether you will be applying for a grant or other funding.