ILR High Road New York 
New York Waterfront Commission

ILR High Road New York is a statewide program that aims to teach ILR students practical methods for civic engagement and leadership through economic justice, evidence-based policy, and strategic development that creates opportunity for community members to share in prosperity.  The Summer 2026 New York City (NYC) High Road Fellowship Program will run from June 1st to July 31st, 2026. Students intern in person with various NYC partner organizations and will participate in weekly cohort workshops focused on critical reflection and peer-to-peer collaboration and networking and learning opportunities with guest speakers will be offered at ILR's NYC office on Lexington Avenue. All interns will be paid and need-based subsidized housing will be available. 

The New York Waterfront Commission is a law enforcement agency that registers and licenses port workers and their employers at the container and cruise ship terminals in New York City. Our mission is to combat and remedy criminal activity and influence and ensure fair hiring practices so that the Port and region can prosper. With the support of detectives and intelligence analysts, the Commission's attorneys conduct investigations and administrative hearings related to fraud, theft, organized crime associations, discrimination, and other violations of the waterfront labor laws. We have 24 employees.

Interns conduct research to determine labor law compliance, support potential hearings, or help modify or interpret labor laws and rules impacting dock workers. For example, interns have completed assignments related to racketeering/collective bargaining/discrimination, edited important statutory submissions, and researched labor law litigation.

The most successful interns want to become attorneys and are strong writers/researchers.