How to apply for Clerkship, Pro Bono Program (Summer 2027)

About Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is an animal law advocacy organization that works to protect animals through the legal system. It conducts legal research, writing, and advocacy on animal law issues. A clerkship here offers direct exposure to animal law and the attorneys working in the field.

About the role

This is a remote summer 2027 clerkship in the Pro Bono Program. The clerk conducts legal research and writing on emerging animal law issues. Assignments include researching law firms, bar associations, CLE opportunities, and landlord-tenant issues, plus investigating animal custody disputes, dangerous dog designations, breed restrictions, and tort law. The role involves networking with attorneys and fellow clerks while working independently and remotely.

A typical day

A typical day might involve conducting legal research on an animal custody dispute or breed restriction issue, drafting a memo or written analysis, and researching law firms or CLE opportunities in animal law. You would work remotely, manage your own schedule, and check in with attorneys or fellow clerks through virtual meetings or messages.

Who Animal Legal Defense Fund is looking for

• Law student with strong legal research and writing skills, able to handle varied assignments independently and remotely.
• Interest in animal law and the legal issues listed: custody disputes, dangerous dog designations, breed restrictions, and tort law.
• Comfortable researching law firms, bar associations, continuing legal education opportunities, and landlord-tenant issues.
• Able to participate in networking and engagement activities with attorneys and fellow clerks across the organization.

Tips for this application

• In your cover letter, name specific animal law topics from the job description, such as animal custody disputes, dangerous dog designations, breed restrictions, or tort law, and explain your interest or experience with them.
• Show you can work remotely and independently by describing a past project where you managed varied assignments with little supervision.
• Mention any experience researching law firms, bar associations, CLE opportunities, or landlord-tenant issues, since these are listed tasks.
• Address the networking component: note any experience engaging with attorneys, clerks, or professional groups, even if virtual.
• Confirm your availability for Summer 2027 and state that you are based in the US, since the role is remote (US).

What to cover in your cover letter

Key points to emphasize: your legal research and writing skills on animal law or related topics; your ability to work independently and remotely on varied assignments; your interest in the specific legal matters listed (custody disputes, dangerous dog designations, breed restrictions, tort law); and your willingness to participate in networking and engagement activities with attorneys and fellow clerks.

Research before applying

• Read the Animal Legal Defense Fund website (aldf.org) to understand its animal law advocacy work and current cases.
• Look up the Pro Bono Program and any past clerkship descriptions to understand what clerks do.
• Research recent animal law developments in custody disputes, dangerous dog designations, breed restrictions, and tort law.
• Identify bar associations or CLE programs that focus on animal law, since the role involves researching these.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you research and write about an emerging animal law issue?
• What do you know about animal custody disputes or dangerous dog designations, and how would you investigate one?
• Describe a time you managed multiple assignments remotely and independently.
• How would you research law firms, bar associations, or CLE opportunities in animal law?
• Why do you want to clerk with the Animal Legal Defense Fund's Pro Bono Program, and what do you hope to learn from networking with attorneys?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention animal law or the specific tasks in this clerkship.
• Failing to show you can work independently and remotely, since the role requires it.
• Ignoring the networking component or showing no interest in engaging with attorneys and fellow clerks.
• Applying without any demonstrated interest in animal law or the legal issues listed in the job description.