[Hiring] Litigation Fellowship @Pacific Legal Foundation

Role Description

The PLF Litigation Fellowship is a year-long fellowship position for recent law-school graduates. You will:

• Assist the Environment & Natural Resources team in ongoing cases
• Learn to develop a public interest case from the ground up
• Receive hands-on training in research and writing
• Study the classical liberal principles that guide our work
• Take on additional challenges, including legal research projects and communications efforts
• Work on teams with junior and senior attorneys, adding your skills and perspective
• Have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute your ideas
• Shape the law for all Americans

In a nutshell, we’re seeking a new lawyer who’s passionate about individual liberty, property rights, and administrative law, someone who is confident and magnanimous, and someone who is a bold and relentless freedom fighter.

Your specific job duties will likely include:

• Working closely with attorneys to develop precedent-setting cases
• Actively participating throughout all stages of a case, from pre-litigation to discovery and appellate work
• Drafting briefs, comment letters, and research memoranda

Qualifications

• A passion for liberty and excited to get a crash-course in public-interest law
• A demonstrated interest in environmental law
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills
• A knowledge of and passion for the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• Excellent legal research and writing skills

Requirements

• This is a full-time, one-year fellowship for recent law school graduates, beginning September 1, 2027
• Fellows will receive a salary of $100,000
• Eligible for consideration for a permanent position upon successful completion of the program

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Flexible, collaborative, positive, and collegial work environment
• Investment in your future with encouragement for internal advancement

Company Description

Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Our mission comes to life through four practice areas:

• Property Rights
• Equality & Opportunity
• Separation of Powers
• Environment & Natural Resources

Our Environment and Natural Resources practice roots itself in the belief that human creativity, unleashed through liberty, solves problems and expands the world’s potential. We defend the freedom to use public and private land productively by protecting constitutional limits on government power and promoting abundance through innovation.

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, CA; Arlington, VA; and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. Litigation Fellows will get the richest experience by spending a few days each week in our Arlington, VA office, though remote participation is also available.

Application Process

We will be accepting applications from August 14 to November 1. With only two spots available per practice area and strong interest expected, we encourage candidates to apply early. Our goal is to extend all offers by January. If you believe you’re a good fit, please submit the following application materials:

• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants
• A legal writing sample

This application is for a fellowship within the Environment & Natural Resources practice group; we ask that you apply only once — to the group you're most excited about. If you'd like to be considered for other practice areas as well, you'll have a chance to indicate that within your application.