The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.

PJI moves life-changing work: Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.

We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse. PJI’s methodology is client-centered and community- partnered. We use power building, narrative construction, and storytelling as core vehicles. Our proximity to impacted people, their partnership with us, and our systems-level work inform our strategy.

The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and that embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Internship Description and Requirements

The Promise of Justice Initiative’s 2027 Summer Internship Program will offer an enriching, immersive experience designed to deepen interns’ understanding of the criminal legal system while celebrating the culture and community of New Orleans. From visits to Angola Prison and Criminal District Court to powerful tours of the Whitney Museum, Studio Be, and Solitary Gardens, interns will gain critical context for our work and the systems we fight to transform. PJI partners with other local organizations to host brown bag lunches to connect interns with local justice leaders; while film screenings, walking tours, and curated community events will ground their learning in the city’s deep and complex history. Opportunities to build relationships with PJI staff and leadership through welcome and farewell happy hours and regular touchpoints will help foster a sense of community, mentorship, and shared purpose. With thoughtful programming and local recommendations that balance work and fun, the PJI 2026 summer program is more than an internship, it’s a transformative New Orleans experience.

Our summer internship program will run from June 1 through August 5, 2027, with interns working approximately 40 hours per week. The internship begins with a multi-day training program and each intern is assigned to an attorney for supervision and mentorship. Interns will be integrated into legal teams to work on active cases in both state and federal court, which can include researching and drafting legal memoranda and filings, visiting and interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting appellate arguments, or observing other court appearances. Interns can also work on other types of advocacy efforts, such as supporting coalitions, drafting reports, assisting clients and their families, and contributing to policy and educational work. Each intern will make a final presentation to all staff at the end of the program highlighting a meaningful project. The Page 1 of 2

nature of our work sometimes requires evening hours, weekend work and may include some travel.

Funding

We strongly encourage students to first seek funding through their law school, university, fellowship program, or other external sources. Summer interns without funding support from their law school or program will receive a $500.00 Miscellaneous Needs Stipend to help offset costs such as travel, housing, or commuting expenses. Interns who are unable to secure outside funding may be eligible for an additional PJI internship stipend, subject to available funding.

How to Apply

Please apply by emailing a (1) Cover Letter, (2) Resume, (3) and a short (3-5 page) Writing Sample to pjiinternship@defendla.org. Applications are processed on a rolling basis.