Each year, NCSC hosts undergraduate and law students in a 10-week "Rule of Law Academy" internship program. Through program learning sessions, the interns discuss rule of law topics and develop a conceptual understanding of the rule of law as a dynamic. More practically, the interns receive numerous assignments that support implementation of NCSC’s rule of law projects in developing countries across the globe. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and interaction with project field office staff, the interns gain valuable insight into the many challenges associated with advancing the rule of law and strengthening justice sector institutions in foreign countries.
The summer 2024 class included the following students:
- Brooks Alderman, a rising 2L at William & Mary (W&M) Law School
- Rebecca Cohn, a rising undergraduate senior at Georgetown University
- Sarah Conley, a rising 3L at William & Mary (W&M) Law School
- Anh Nguyen, a rising undergraduate senior at Allegheny College
- Tim Streit, a rising 2L at American University Washington College of Law
These interns completed assignments that furthered their understanding of international rule of law project design/implementation and proposal development. Interns learned first-hand about the management and administration requirements that derive from federal government contracting. Interns also learned about corporate risk management and compliance best practices that support implementation of NCSC’s rule of law projects internationally. Additionally, the students participated in weekly learning sessions, attended the U.S. Supreme Court’s annual lecture, and gained comparative law and cross-cultural insights that will benefit them in their future professional careers.
“Working with all of you has been an invaluable experience as I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the Rule of Law and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with experts who are passionate about advancing justice and strengthening legal systems,” wrote Nguyen.
Additional reflections about the internship experience can be found in the William & Mary Law School Voices from the Field, 2024 Student Summer Intern Blogs from Brooks Alderman and Sarah Conley.
Applications for the 2025 program will open in January 2025. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to NCSC at thughes@ncsc.org.