CalHDF is seeking a legal intern for the summer of 2025. The legal intern will assist with CalHDF’s work to enforce California’s pro-housing laws against NIMBY jurisdictions. CalHDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure more housing is built in California, with the goal of improving housing affordability.
Timing and Location
The internship will cover a period of eight to ten consecutive weeks during June, July, and August of 2025. Start and end dates are flexible within those parameters. The internship will be full time, from 9am to 5pm, with some flexibility.
CalHDF prefers to hire someone who can work from CalHDF’s office at 2201 Broadway, PH1, Oakland, CA 94612 at least three days per week. This is a soft requirement, however – if it would be difficult for you to work in person, we are open to alternative arrangements.
Responsibilities
The legal intern will:
- Assist with monitoring city council and planning commission agendas throughout California to flag potential housing law violations
- Write to local governments informing them of their duties under state housing laws
- Respond to inquiries from homeowners, developers, activists, and other interested parties regarding the meaning and requirements of California housing laws
- Conduct legal research in general and in support of CalHDF’s active litigation efforts
- Draft documents for filing in CalHDF’s active litigation efforts including procedural documents (e.g. case management statements) and substantive legal arguments (e.g. memorandums in support of motion practice)
- Draft public-facing materials, including blog posts and press releases, explaining California housing laws and CalHDF’s work
- File complaints and liaise with state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Housing and Community Development
Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in an American law school
- Have strong research and writing skills, legal and non-legal
- Be prepared to handle a wide range of tasks while staying organized and meeting deadlines
A background in housing justice and/or land use regulation is preferred but not required.
To Apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to hi@calhdf.org with the subject line, “Summer 2025 Legal Intern Application”.