2026/2027 Legal Fellow

We will begin reviewing applications on 10/20/2025 and will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis until the position is filled

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Public Rights Project (PRP) is a public interest legal nonprofit, headquartered in Oakland, with a remote team based throughout the United States. Our mission is to help local government officials fight for civil rights.

Since its founding in 2017, PRP has litigated in more than 100 cases (either as a party or amicus), trained 131 prosecutors and government lawyers in 24 states, built a partner network of over 670 government offices, elected officials, and community-based organizations in 43 states, secured court victories on police accountability, abortion, immigrant, worker, and voting rights, and helped to recover over $46 million in relief for marginalized people. Learn more about our work.

PRP supports local government partners in the face of an onslaught of federal and state abuses of power. We provide direct representation, legal analysis, research, training, and community partnerships to help local governments develop strategies that protect their residents’ civil rights. 

JOB SUMMARY

Public Rights Project seeks to hire one or more fellows for a one-year fellowship, beginning September 2026. The fellowship is intended for recent law school graduates and lawyers with fewer than three years experience. There is a strong preference for 3Ls, judicial law clerks, and applicants with only one or two years of experience.

We are looking for candidates with a belief in the power of state and local government to make positive change in the world and a passionate commitment to economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice. A fellowship at Public Rights Project would be ideal for candidates interested in cutting-edge impact litigation, public service, and creative strategies to advance civil rights, combat federal or state abuses of power, and more. The fellow will have an opportunity to work directly with the Managing Attorney, Litigation Director, Civil Rights Hub Director, Election Protection Hub Director, Staff Attorneys, other Legal Fellows, multiple cities and states across the country, and community and nonprofit partners. The fellow will also have an opportunity to contribute to case generation, development, and strategy; to shape the direction of Public Rights Project; and to gain valuable experience in organizational and program design.

The prospective fellow is expected to work with PRP to apply for fellowships and other funding sources. PRP will guarantee a designated salary and benefits package, regardless of the external funding amount, and will also work to identify independent sources of funding for the fellowship.

We welcome applicants from all jurisdictions. The position will be based remotely, although some travel may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work on all facets of federal and state court litigation;
• Conduct factual and legal research and provide guidance and analysis of laws across a range of jurisdictions; 
• Draft, review, edit analytic and persuasive written work product; 
• Participate in advising government clients, including legal, political, and justice considerations of each particular circumstance; 
• Meet with government and non-government stakeholders; 
• Support and potentially lead legal organizing and outreach efforts;
• Help oversee and coordinate the summer law clerk program; 
• Synthesize input and feedback from internal and external stakeholders; and
• Contribute to an innovative, inclusive, and supportive group of advocates. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• J.D. from a U.S. law school (by Spring 2025);
• Licensed to practice law or applying for a license to practice law in a jurisdiction of the United States.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Passion for social justice and public service lawyering; 
• Curiosity about the role of government to promote social change;
• Ability to work well with others and diverse groups;
• Experience working with underserved communities in and out of the legal context; and
• Self-motivation and the ability to structure time effectively.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

The law fellow will report directly to the Managing Attorney within the litigation team and will have an opportunity to work with other PRP attorneys, multiple cities and states across the country, and community and nonprofit partners. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fully remote organization and team. This role may require travel a few times a year to PRP events or meetings. We currently have remote staff in Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), and Washington, DC, as well as other cities.

COMPENSATION

The determined salary range for this role is set at $75,000 (for internal equity, PRP can not engage in salary negotiations outside of this range).

PRP HIRING COMMITMENT

PRP is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. A diverse and inclusive workplace, both at PRP and within the government offices we serve, is a key ingredient for achieving our mission of building equitable enforcement capacity within state and local government. 

We aim to assemble a team that reflects the world we live in and the communities we serve with respect to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and immigration status. People with personal or family experience with the type of harms we seek to combat, including wage theft, predatory lending, fraud, discrimination, and environmental degradation are particularly encouraged to apply.