Constitutional Litigation Fellowship (CLiF)
Apply for NCLA’s Constitutional Litigation Fellowship! Are you a passionate new lawyer eager to join one of the nation’s most prominent civil liberties firms? NCLA’s Constitutional Litigation Fellowship (CLiF) offers a unique opportunity for recently barred attorneys to learn, contribute and thrive in a dynamic litigation environment.
Program Overview
Eligibility: Lawyers at private law firms with 1-2 years of litigation experience OR fresh from one or more judicial clerkships preferred. A candidate between judicial clerkships would also be eligible.
Bar: Must have passed a bar exam that makes you eligible for admission to the Virginia or D.C. Bar.
Highly competitive selection nationwide: Clerkship strongly preferred. Prior litigation experience also preferred.
Rolling Application Process: There is no application deadline. NCLA reviews applications and extends fellowship offers on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply. A CLiF position will be filled as soon as a well-qualified candidate is identified.
Quick Facts
Work Location: NCLA’s Arlington, VA office with travel as needed for litigation.
Litigation Experience: Fellows will start as ‘second chair’ on three cases. They will be expected to co-lead one case and initiate one other case throughout the one-year term of the CLiF.
Court Appearances: Fellows will make court appearances.
Fellowship Duration: 12 months, non-renewable. Candidates are asked to identify in the cover letter amenable dates.
Case Continuation: Fellows may ‘keep’ a case and work on it for NCLA as a pro bono firm project.
Start Date: The fellowship is available beginning as early as January 2027 with applications accepted through periods until the end of 2029.
Salary: Fellows will be paid at least $100,000 and are eligible for NCLA benefits equivalent to full-time Staff Attorneys. If coming from a law firm, the Fellow’s firm is welcome to ‘plus up’ that salary to match the law firm’s compensation for an associate at that level with the firm.
Submission: Email your resume, cover letter explaining your interest in NCLA’s mission and why you seek to become a Fellow, law school transcript, and a court-oriented writing sample to Garrett Snedeker at [email protected]. In your cover letter, please clearly state the 12 month term you propose for the CLiF position, along with your earliest available start date. Applications are accepted and decisions are made on a rolling basis.