2027 Spring Clerkship

Overview

This 15-week, part-time legal clerkship (for academic credit) offers law students hands-on experience supporting litigation, policy, and advocacy work related to free expression and First Amendment rights. Clerks work closely with attorneys on projects ranging from developing litigation strategies for active cases to shaping policy.

Clerks in past semesters have:

• Conducted research and drafted memoranda for First Amendment litigation
• Reviewed university policies and legislative proposals to assess compliance with constitutional standards
• Investigated violations of expressive rights on college campuses
• Drafted policy analyses and advocacy letters aimed at securing meaningful reforms
• Assisted in public-facing commentary on emerging free speech controversies

Responsibilities & Practice Areas

Clerks will be assigned to one of the following teams and will support the assigned workstream:

Litigation

Litigation legal clerks assist litigators working up new cases and litigating existing lawsuits defending the freedom of speech. Work includes legal research, writing, and strategy discussions. Clerks gain practical knowledge of federal litigation, learn more about public-interest litigation, and deepen their understanding of substantive First Amendment law.

Campus Rights Advocacy

This non-litigation role supports advocacy efforts defending free speech and due process on college and university campuses. Responsibilities include:

• Investigating potential violations of expressive rights and due process
• Conducting legal research
• Reviewing advocacy letters
• Drafting public-facing commentary on topical free speech issues

Some administrative responsibilities may be included. Clerks may also attend voluntary learning sessions to deepen their understanding of substantive First Amendment law.

Public Advocacy

This non-litigation role supports advocacy defending free speech off campus. Responsibilities include:

• Investigating potential violations of expressive rights
• Conducting legal research
• Reviewing advocacy letters
• Drafting public-facing commentary on topical free speech issues

Policy Reform

The Policy Reform clerk supports work to improve written regulations on student and faculty expression at colleges. Duties include:

• Drafting and editing policy analysis and recommendations for college administrators
• Researching emerging issues affecting regulations on expression
• Providing input on best practices for building a stronger foundation for campus speech through policies and programs

Legislative & Policy

The Legislative & Policy department supports legislative efforts to advance organizational positions on policy issues related to free speech. Duties include:

• Legal research on public policy issues affecting expressive rights
• Drafting internal bill analyses and public commentary
• Monitoring legislative developments

Clerks may work in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. offices, or remotely.

Qualifications

To qualify for this legal clerkship, candidates must:

• Be rising 2Ls and 3Ls with excellent academic credentials
• Have a passion for civil liberties and public interest litigation
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States

Applications are accepted from candidates across the United States and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity & Background Check

• Equal opportunity employer: all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Background checks: as part of the hiring process, candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state, and local law.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation details were not provided in the application materials.