How to apply for Legal Fellowship

About Center for International Environmental Law

CIEL is a trailblazing nonprofit that uses international law to fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and challenge corporate power—often taking on cases that governments and other NGOs avoid. It's a place where legal creativity meets urgent environmental advocacy, and fellows work alongside seasoned attorneys on high-stakes global issues. If you want your legal skills to serve the planet, CIEL offers a rare blend of impact and mentorship.

About the role

As a Legal Fellow, you'll dive into cutting-edge research and writing on international environmental law, help shape policy positions, and support advocacy campaigns—all while contributing to CIEL's influential publications. This isn't a typical internship; you'll be treated as a junior attorney, attending strategy meetings and conferences, and your work could directly influence treaties, corporate accountability, and climate litigation. It's a launchpad for a career in public interest environmental law.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a team check-in over Zoom, followed by deep research on a legal brief or policy memo—perhaps analyzing a new treaty text or drafting a section of a CIEL report. You might attend a coalition meeting or a UN webinar in the afternoon, then collaborate with staff on advocacy strategies. Expect a mix of independent writing, virtual meetings, and occasional urgent tasks as environmental developments unfold.

Who Center for International Environmental Law is looking for

• Recently completed or in final stages of an LLM or JD, with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest in international law, environmental law, or human rights.
• Exceptional research and writing skills—able to synthesize complex legal and policy issues into clear, persuasive arguments for diverse audiences (e.g., policymakers, courts, the public).
• Deep commitment to public interest law and environmental justice, evidenced by prior internships, clinics, or volunteer work with NGOs, government agencies, or community groups.
• Self-starter who thrives in a remote, collaborative environment and can manage multiple projects across time zones with minimal supervision.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight any experience with international environmental law, climate policy, or corporate accountability—even if it's from a clinic, externship, or independent research.
• Submit a writing sample that showcases your ability to analyze a complex legal or policy issue and argue a position—ideally on a topic related to CIEL's work (e.g., climate litigation, plastics treaty, human rights and environment).
• In your cover letter, explicitly reference CIEL's recent campaigns or publications (e.g., their work on the Global Plastics Treaty, climate lawsuits, or biodiversity finance) to show you've done your homework.
• Demonstrate your commitment to a three-month (or longer) fellowship by outlining a specific project or research idea you'd like to pursue, and how it aligns with CIEL's strategic priorities.
• If you have any prior experience with remote work or cross-cultural collaboration, mention it—CIEL's team is distributed, and they value candidates who can communicate effectively online.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your specific interest in CIEL's unique approach to using international law for environmental protection, with concrete examples of their work that inspire you.", "How your legal research and writing skills have prepared you to contribute to CIEL's publications and policy advocacy—include a brief anecdote or example of a challenging research project you completed.", 'Your commitment to public interest law and environmental justice, illustrated through past internships, coursework, or activism.', 'What you hope to gain from the fellowship and how it fits into your long-term career goals in environmental law.']

Research before applying

• Explore CIEL's website, focusing on their program areas (Climate & Energy, Fossil Fuels, Plastics, Biodiversity, Human Rights & Environment) and recent victories or publications.
• Read CIEL's most recent annual report or impact summary to understand their strategic priorities and how fellows contribute.
• Follow CIEL on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter) and read their blog posts to get a sense of their voice and current advocacy efforts.
• Identify a few key staff members you might work with and read their bios or recent articles to understand their expertise and potential mentorship areas.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Your understanding of CIEL's mission and how you would contribute to their current campaigns (e.g., climate litigation, plastics treaty, fossil fuel non-proliferation).
• A deep dive into a recent CIEL publication or legal filing: what you found compelling, and how you might build on it.
• How you approach legal research on complex international law questions, including your familiarity with sources like treaties, UN documents, and customary international law.
• Your experience working on policy advocacy or with coalitions, and how you handle differing opinions or strategic disagreements.
• Your ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently in a remote setting—be ready to give examples of how you prioritize tasks.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that could apply to any environmental internship—CIEL wants to see that you understand their unique legal approach and can articulate why you're a fit for their specific work.
• Failing to demonstrate a commitment to public interest law; if your application suggests you're primarily interested in corporate law or academia, you'll be overlooked.
• Ignoring the remote aspect: not showing that you can work independently and communicate effectively online, or expressing a preference for in-person work when the role is remote.