The World Bank Group Legal Internship Program is a great opportunity for ambitious law students. It’s your chance not only to get in contact with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas but also to enhance your legal skills in a diverse setting. This article delves into the key aspects of this program, from eligibility criteria to the tasks you’ll undertake and additional details you should know. It’s your chance to discover the realm of international law and development as a World Bank intern!

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Bank Legal Internship Program: Eligibility and Application

Are you passionate about law and global development? If so, the World Bank Group Legal Internship Program could be your ideal opportunity. To qualify, you should:

• Hold citizenship of an IBRD member state;
• Be enrolled in a legal academic program (LLB, JD, LLM, SJD, PhD, or equivalent) during the internship period (for this Spring cycle, you must be enrolled in an eligible legal academic program between and May);
• Possess a strong command of the English language.

Moreover, proficiency in a second language, particularly Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish—languages used at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)—is considered an advantage.

To apply, you need to submit your CV and Academic transcript(s), as well as your Statement of Interest and your answer to the Research question on the application form.

The Statement of Interest field asks you to “explain in a few paragraphs the reasons why you are interested in the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency’s Internship Program and why you believe you would be a strong candidate for it”. It’s important that you are clear and concise, while also being comprehensive and convincing in describing your motivations. You have a maximum of 3500 characters including spaces.

The Research question field asks you to “describe an interesting legal problem that you have recently encountered in your studies or work experience”. You have to explain the nature of the problem, the analysis you conducted, and the solution you proposed, while making sure to highlight how you utilized your research and analytical skills in addressing the problem. You have a maximum of 3500 characters including spaces here as well.

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Program Duration and Structure

The World Bank Legal Internship Program is conducted thrice annually, with each internship lasting up to three months. Interns join the program at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or selected country offices.

As a participant in this program, you will engage in a diverse array of tasks designed to deepen your legal insights and skills. These tasks may include:

• Undertaking legal assignments under the guidance of supervising lawyers.
• Conducting research on assigned issues, utilizing both traditional and digital resources.
• Performing comparative legal analyses to address various issues.
• Collaborating within task/project teams led by supervising lawyers.
• Assisting in the organization of conferences and meetings.
• Responding to ad hoc assignments provided by supervising lawyers.

Finally, it’s essential to note that participants are responsible for securing their student visa documents, and the World Bank only intervenes in exceptional cases. While the program itself is unpaid, participants must secure funding for the duration of the internship through (i) monetary fees/compensation paid by the university or other sponsoring organization and acceptable to the Bank or (ii) academic credit equivalent to the Bank’s fee schedule.

In conclusion, the World Bank Group Legal Internship Program offers a platform for aspiring legal professionals to immerse themselves in the world of international law and development. By embracing this opportunity, you can contribute to the Legal Vice Presidency’s initiatives, broaden your legal horizons, and be part of significant high-profile events and conferences.