• About Working With EFF
• Job Openings
• Internships:
• Legal Interns
• Other Interns
• Volunteering

About Working With EFF

Application Basics:

• EFF offices are located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
• Please do not call, fax or send applications or résumés to our address, unless otherwise noted.
• Please feel free to submit a pointer to a résumé on a web page, unless otherwise noted.
• EFF is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages people of all genders, ethnicities, national origins, orientations, etc., to apply.
• No relocation assistance of any kind available, unless otherwise noted

Job Openings

EFF is seeking an intellectual property staff attorney for its legal team. Responsibilities will include litigation, public speaking, media outreach, plus legislative and regulatory advocacy, all in connection with a variety of intellectual property and high technology matters.

Qualified candidates should have at least four years of legal experience, with knowledge in patent law and at least one other IP specialty (copyright, trademark, trade secret). Litigation experience is preferred, including significant experience managing cases, both overall case strategy and day-to-day projects and deadlines. Candidates should have good communication skills and interest in working with a team of highly motivated lawyers and activists in a hard-working nonprofit environment. Strong writing and analytical skills as well as the ability to be self-motivated and focused are essential. Tech savviness and familiarity with Internet civil liberties and high tech public interest issues preferred. This position is based in San Francisco.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, writing sample, and references to ipjob@eff.org.

Internships (Unpaid)

• Work with a world-renowned nonprofit organization on some of the most important, cutting-edge issues on the electronic frontier.
• Gain valuable knowledge of the Internet, electronic commerce, politics, communications technology, hot legal issues, NGO operations, and more.
• Take on résumé-building responsibilities such as event planning, speaking engagements, fundraising, press and industry interviews, policy analysis & legal support, work in the newest areas the law has to offer, technical and market proofs-of-concepts, and more.
• Develop insight into understanding the privacy, security, fair use, free expression, and other issues facing society as we enter the information era.
• Gain experience with project coordination and execution, creative and advanced development of new ideas, and the trust and confidence that comes from succeeding in a fast-paced environment of self-starter experts and experts-in-the-making.
• Get exposure to VIPs on all sides of the issues, unique opportunities unavailable in the commercial sector, and association with one of the best organizational reputations in the online world.
• Be treated with mutual respect and get to work on projects that really make a difference, in a collegial atmosphere of teamwork.

• EFF does not have paid internships and cannot provide stipends (except for specific things, like travel to an EFF event you are assisting at, etc.)
• EFF is not accredited to sponsor J visas.

Please visit the legal internships page.

• Interns work closely with EFF staff and other interns to create and promote programs to support EFF sponsored projects, legislative and policy issues, and coordinated efforts with other organizations. This may include conducting legal and other research, pitching media ideas with the press, speaking with existing and potential EFF sponsors, developing and writing legal and media materials, and fielding incoming media and interested parties' requests as appropriate. Responsibilities will vary by position.
• Desired qualities include strong written and oral communication skills, strong personal computer skills (word processors, spreadsheets, database tools, e-mail, web browsers), basic HTML experience preferred, dedication and willingness to work hard, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines, excellent knowledge of your field with at least a working understanding of the issues to which EFF is devoted. Preferred fields are Law and Pre-Law, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Computer Science, Information Systems, Political Science, and/or Business.
• While "virtual" (long-distance) internships are possibilities, we would prefer at this time to place interns in our San Francisco office in to work directly with existing staff on time-sensitive matters.
• We do not have non-legal internships available at this time. We offer a limited number of internships in the summer and accept applications in March. Please watch this site or EFFector mailings for internship postings.

Volunteer Opportunities

We host two mailing lists which we use to announce volunteer opportunities for EFF. These lists are the best place to find out when we need you!

EFF Cooperating Techs Announce List

EFF is often contacted by attorneys or members of the general public who have a need for technical assistance. The Cooperating Techs list is a low volume list that connects these people with technologists who have the expertise and the desire to assist. We will post a note to the list with a basic description of the project or need; if you are qualified and interested, you respond to the call, and we'll connect you to the attorney. EFF won't investigate or vouch for either side so it is up to both parties to negotiate the work arrangements. We'll simply provide the connection.

To subscribe, send an email to effcooperatingtechs-subscribe@eff.org.

Occasionally we have a need for volunteers to assist for a short amount of time with technical and research projects, membership campaigns, t-shirt folding, etc. Though a few projects can be performed remotely, the majority of our volunteer projects take place in our San Francisco office. Help out EFF and volunteer your services by coming in for a few hours when we need you!

If you are interested in coming in on an "as needed" basis, subscribe to the announcement list by sending an email to volunteer-list-subscribe@eff.org. We'll email the list whenever we have opportunities for volunteers!