Animal Legal Defense Fund Criminal Justice Program Summer 2027 Clerkships

Overview

This summer clerkship is a 35 hours/week position for 10 weeks in summer 2027, with a start date at the beginning of June. Clerks will work primarily from their personal United States address.

The program is housed within the Criminal Justice Program and supports work related to justice for animals harmed by crime. Clerks conduct legal and factual research, prepare written work products, and assist attorneys with both immediate case needs and longer-term projects aimed at systemic improvement.

Responsibilities

Criminal Justice Program clerks will:

• Complete legal and factual research.
• Prepare a variety of written work products.
• Assist attorneys with responding to a range of crimes against animals.
• Support projects that broaden how animal law can secure just outcomes for animal victims.
• Work on both short-term and longer-term assignments, including:
  • Motions and legal memos responsive to immediate cases.
  • Resource guides, position statements, and model laws to support systemic improvement in how the criminal justice system anticipates, prevents, and responds to instances of unlawful animal cruelty.
• Participate in activities that support networking across the organization with staff and other clerks.

Requirements

• Experience as a current 2L (or part-time program equivalent) or LLM student at an ABA accredited law school.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• A sincere interest in animal protection.
• Superior legal research and writing skills, including the ability to tailor voice and style to various audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others in a mission-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to accept a variety of assignments within the expanding field of animal law.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.
• Ability to use discretion, including awareness of the confidential and emotional aspects of the work.
• Access to a computer with internet and Microsoft Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with animal law, criminal law, or both.
• A sincere interest in the criminal justice system and related law.

Compensation & Benefits

• $20/hour
• Paid holidays

Location

• U.S.-based position.
• Clerks must provide a personal United States address and work primarily from that address.

Application Information

Applicants must upload the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• List of 2–3 professional references

• Law school transcript (unofficial okay)

• Original writing sample

• Application deadline: November 20, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an employment environment welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Additional Notes on Summer Options

• Paid summer clerkships are given priority, but applications are accepted from students who would like to structure the position as an unpaid externship or student volunteer position instead of a paid clerkship.
• Externships are uncompensated, and academic credit (if any) is determined by the law school.
• Applicants should check their law school’s externship requirements before applying to ensure the placement meets their school’s requirements and the organization is an approved externship placement.
• Student volunteer positions may include students who can receive pro bono credits for their law schools, and students whose schools provide a public interest stipend.