Animal Legal Defense Fund Pro Bono Program Summer 2027 Clerkships

Overview

This role is part of a summer clerkship through the organization’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Clerkship Program. Clerks are law students who demonstrate an interest in animal law and work with—and are trained by—experts in the field. Clerks serve as integral members of a program team, contributing to projects that further the program’s work and the organization’s mission and goals.

Position Term

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

Reporting To

• Managing Attorney

Location

• Remote position
• U.S. based position: Clerks will be required to provide a personal United States address and to work primarily from that address.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities vary by program and will be discussed during interviews. For the Pro Bono Program track, students will complete research related to:

• Law firms, bar associations, CLEs, and other opportunities in animal law
• Key animal-law issues, including:
  • Landlord, tenant, and other housing related issues
  • Animal custody disputes
  • Dangerous dog designations and breed-specific restrictions
  • Tort law matters and issues of negligence
  • Issues related to animals being considered property under the law

Additional program participation includes:

• Participation in scheduled networking and engagement activities with program team members and other staff
• Externs may have additional requirements depending on their school’s externship program

Compensation & Benefits

• $20/hour
• Paid holidays

Eligibility & 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 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, considering the confidential and emotional aspects of the work
• Access to a computer with internet and Microsoft Suite
• Familiarity with animal law is preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with animal law

Application Information

Students may apply for more than one clerkship at a time. Clerkships may be available with the following programs:

• Litigation Program
• Criminal Justice Program
• Legislative Affairs Program
• Pro Bono Program
• Transparency & Regulatory Affairs Program
• Animal Law Education & Scholarship Program

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

Application deadline: November 20, 2026

Required application materials include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• List of 2–3 professional references
• Law school transcript (unofficial acceptable)
• Original writing sample

Additional Notes

• This position is U.S. based.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: The organization is committed to providing an employment environment welcoming to persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.
• Consistent with the organization’s mission, offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.

Equal Employment Encouragement

The organization strongly encourages persons from diverse backgrounds to apply.