Legislative Advocacy Interns report to Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral, Esq. and will receive weekly supervision and regular feedback. The minimum time commitment for the Legislative Internship is ten hours and the maximum is 29 hours; interns will have the ability to flex time and assignments based on other life commitments, such as exams or travel. Compensation is $15.00 an hour for approximately 6 months. This is a remote internship. Students seeking college credit are welcome to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor, track, and analyze legislation;
• Conduct legal research and writing;
• Attend hearings, briefings, and meetings;
• Prepare reports for staff;
• Assist staff in mobilizing membership on key legislative initiatives; and
• Assist with administrative tasks such as updating and preparing Excel spreadsheets, proofreading, assembling folders for lobby visits, preparing mailings, etc.
• Treat people around you with Kindness and Compassion, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, prioritize your well-being, and work to build strong inclusive relationships with your colleagues by participating in communication loops to share and receive honest feedback.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Become knowledgeable about the local and state legislative processes.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of legal issues resulting in the killing of dogs and cats in shelters and the impact those laws have on animals, people, and communities.
• Learn how successful grassroots advocacy strategies are implemented and methods for mobilizing membership.
• Improve research, writing, communication, and networking skills.
• Build and strengthen professional relationships with influential members of the animal welfare movement both inside and outside Best Friends. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a student and matriculated in an ABA-accredited law school seeking a juris doctorate degree or LLM degree or in a master's level program with an emphasis on public policy or public affairs
• Preference will be given to students who have completed one calendar year of graduate-level schooling
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent writing abilities (clear, professional, error-free writing)
• Analytical and research skills, especially in summarizing and presenting complex information more simply
• Professional work ethic and independent time management skills in a home-office environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Interest in learning about public policy and the legislative process
• Prior political experience or political science background is not necessary