Animal Legal Defense Fund Legislative Affairs Program Summer 2027 Clerkships

Overview

This role is part of a summer clerkship program focused on animal law. Clerks work on projects that support the program’s current work and advance the organization’s mission and goals. Clerks also take part in networking and engagement activities with organizational staff and other clerks.

Position Term

• 35 hours/week for 10 weeks in summer 2027
• Start date: beginning of June

Reporting

• Reports to: Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager

Location

• Remote position
• U.S.-based role requiring a personal United States address and work primarily from that address.

Responsibilities

Clerks will build experience and knowledge related to animal protection issues, campaigns, and advocacy, while strengthening skills in areas including research, writing, legislative analysis, coalition-building, and lobbying strategies. Key responsibilities may include:

• Researching policy issues, drafting memos or issue briefs, and analyzing state and federal legislation or regulation
• Assisting with administrative work
• Preparing correspondence and supporting outreach to supporters, coalition partners, and public officials (including elected and appointed officials)
• Attending virtual public hearings, coalition calls, stakeholder meetings, lobby day(s), lobby 101(s), conferences, and other events as assigned
• Collaborating with Communications and other departments to propose, draft, proofread, edit, and update content for priority campaigns, including project pages and online action centers, email action alerts, and phonebanking scripts
• Coordinating with other programs (including Criminal Justice Program and Litigation Program staff) on cases related to legislative campaigns
• Preparing and delivering virtual presentations for lobby 101(s) or other advocacy trainings for advocates, professional conferences, fundraising events, and related activities
• Communicating effectively with members, supporters, coworkers, coalition partners, and public officials
• Tactfully managing challenging questions or opposing viewpoints from the public or public officials

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
• 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
• Positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others in a mission-driven, team-oriented work 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, considering the confidential and emotional aspects of the work
• Access to a computer with internet and Microsoft Suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with animal law and legislation
• Experience with legislative advocacy

Compensation & Benefits

• $20/hour
• Paid holidays

How to Apply

Applicants must use the organization’s confidential recruiting portal to upload a resume and cover letter. Additional required materials include:

• List of 2–3 professional references

• Law school transcript (unofficial okay)

• Original writing sample

• Application deadline: November 20, 2026

Additional Program Options

Students may apply for more than one clerkship at a time. Clerkships may be available with the Litigation Program, Criminal Justice Program, Legislative Affairs Program, Pro Bono Program, Transparency & Regulatory Affairs Program, and/or Animal Law Education & Scholarship Program.

Although paid summer clerkships receive priority, applications are also accepted for students who prefer to structure the position as an unpaid externship or student volunteer position instead of a paid clerkship.

• Externships are uncompensated. Academic credit may be available from the law school, and externship credits are determined solely by the school.
• Student volunteer positions include students who can receive pro bono credits for their law schools and students whose schools provide a public interest stipend.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is committed to providing an employment environment welcoming to persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, with employment decisions made without regard to protected characteristics, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Animal Product Restriction

Consistent with the organization’s mission, offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.