Legal Fellowship Program Seeking Candidates to Sponsor for Fall 2026

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) seeks motivated rising third year law students and recent law graduates with a record of commitment to social justice and excellent writing, legal research, and communication skills, to sponsor for externally funded Legal Fellowships beginning in the Fall of 2026.

NCLEJ advances the cause of economic justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities across the country, using ground-breaking impact litigation, policy advocacy, and support for grassroots organizing. NCLEJ works to build systems that provide economic security and full participation in society to all. Our current advocacy focuses on 1) preserving and maintaining access to government benefits; 2) advancing the rights of lower wage workers; 3) combatting abusive debt collection and wealth extraction; and 4) advocating for disability justice. We litigate extensively in federal and state courts across the country, typically as lead counsel in class actions, and we partner with grassroots and community-based organizations, other legal organizations, and the private bar.

Fellowship Description: Fellows will join with staff attorneys to support new and ongoing impact litigation and class actions, policy analysis, and advocacy. Previous fellows have had the opportunity to develop facts and research for new litigation; participate in discovery matters in pending litigation; conduct legal and policy research on a variety of issues; participate in settlement negotiations; draft legal briefs; and collaborate with organizational partners across the country.

For applicants seeking project-based fellowships, NCLEJ will work closely with the selected candidate to develop a project proposal and will provide support throughout the fellowship funding application cycle. Although NCLEJ welcomes new proposals for fellowship projects that fit within NCLEJ’s mission and areas of work, a project proposal is not required to apply for sponsorship. Some potential fellowship project areas may include:

• Combatting institutionalization of people with disabilities
• Ensuring state prison systems engage in adequate and equitable discharge planning
• Litigation and advocacy to abolish forced labor in prisons and jails

Qualifications: Applicants must be recent graduates, current judicial law clerks, or forthcoming graduates (by Spring/Summer 2026) of an accredited school of law. Applicants must have experience in and/or a demonstrated commitment to social justice. Excellent writing and research skills are essential.

NCLEJ makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, with full opportunities for fellowships and employment in all positions.

Salary: NCLEJ supplements externally funded fellowships to meet our salary and benefits scale. NCLEJ’s current salary scale calls for a law graduate to receive $73,436 annually.

Benefits: NCLEJ has a generous benefits package including medical and prescription, dental, and vision insurances through Aetna. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans that are 100% employer premium sponsored with additional buy up options; Open Paid Time Off, which allows for flexibility for personal, vacation, and sick time to be taken as needed, and at a minimum of 2 weeks per year; 12 paid holidays per year; FSA plan options for medical, childcare, and transit expenses; various Employee Assistance Programs; paid life and AD&D insurance; additional voluntary benefits, for example, but not limited to legal services, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pet insurance, additional life insurance or AD&D insurance, and identity theft protection; and generous employer contributions to individuals’ 403(b) plans.

Vaccination Requirement: To help ensure that NCLEJ continues to operate in the safest manner possible, NCLEJ requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Requests for medical and/or religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis, to the extent required by law.

Equal opportunity: NCLEJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and people from other historically disenfranchised communities to apply. NCLEJ does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital or parental status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NCLEJ makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

How to apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter setting out why you believe you would be a strong fellowship candidate for sponsorship by NCLEJ and possible projects (whether fully formed or just preliminary ideas) you are interested in, (2) a resume, (3) a writing sample, and (4) three references. Send these materials by e-mail to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until July 16, 2025. We will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview.

NCLEJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying, please contact Leah Lotto at 212-633-6967 or [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.