Compassion & Choices is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most active nonprofit organization committed to improving care and expanding choice at the end of life. Across the nation, Compassion & Choices works to create a society that affirms life and accepts the inevitability of death, embraces expanded options for compassionate dying, and empowers everyone to choose end-of-life care that reflects their values, priorities, and beliefs. To make this vision a reality, Compassion & Choices works nationwide in state legislatures, Congress, courts, medical settings, and communities to:
Empower people with information and tools, including our free consultation program, to receive healthcare that is consistent with their values and priorities as they approach the end of life.
Advance policies that allow people to make fully informed decisions about their healthcare, such as improving hospice and palliative care and ending unwanted medical treatment.
Authorize and implement medical aid in dying to allow mentally capable adults in their final weeks or months of a terminal disease to advance the time of death and end unbearable suffering.
Compassion & Choices is pleased to offer a law student or recent law graduate a fully-remote 10-week full-time legal internship. Under the supervision of highly experienced staff, legal interns will serve as part of a nationwide advocacy effort to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. Work will primarily consist of research and writing on issues related to end-of-life healthcare, which are likely to involve civil, criminal, and constitutional law. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Compassion & Choices will pay each legal fellow $1000/week in compensation, but is unable to offer benefits.
Applicants should have:
1. Interest in advocacy related to end-of-life healthcare issues including, but not limited to, medical aid in dying, medical malpractice, advanced directives, free speech, and religious exemptions.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
3. The ability to work independently and cooperatively with different types of people.
4. Advanced computer and legal research skills, including proficiency in Westlaw.
5. A demonstrated commitment to and active support of Compassion & Choices’ diversity, equity, and inclusion values and efforts.
Please email a letter of interest and current resume in a single combined .pdf file to Sabrina Cushing, Legal Assistant for Compassion & Choices - [email protected]. Please title applications using the following format: 2021 Legal Fellow [Last Name, First Name]. Applications must be received by January 31, 2021 to ensure consideration. We will not begin reviewing applications until then, and expect to begin interviewing in February.