Application Guide
How to Apply for Litigation Program Clerkships
at Animal Legal Defense Fund
🏢 About Animal Legal Defense Fund
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is one of the nation's leading animal law advocacy organizations, using the legal system to protect animals through strategic litigation, legislation, and public education. Unlike traditional animal welfare groups, ALDF operates like a public interest law firm, taking on precedent-setting cases that establish legal protections for animals. For law students passionate about animal advocacy, it offers a rare chance to build a career at the intersection of law and animal protection.
About This Role
This 10-week remote summer clerkship immerses 2L and LLM students in the Litigation Program, where they conduct legal and factual research, draft pleadings and motions, and help develop civil cases under the supervision of experienced animal law attorneys. Clerks also attend litigation meetings, hearings, and oral arguments, gaining firsthand exposure to how a nonprofit law firm builds cases from the ground up. It's an impactful opportunity to contribute directly to the animal protection movement while honing practical litigation skills.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might begin with a team check-in over Zoom, followed by several hours of legal research on a specific issue—such as whether a state anti-cruelty statute applies to a particular industry practice—and drafting a memo or section of a brief. In the afternoon, you might attend a litigation strategy meeting, listen in on a hearing, or revise a document based on attorney feedback, all while managing your time independently in a remote setting.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Animal Legal Defense Fund Is Looking For
- Current 2L or LLM student at an ABA-accredited law school with a demonstrated commitment to animal advocacy, whether through coursework, clinics, internships, or volunteer work.
- Strong legal research and writing skills, ideally evidenced by a writing sample, law review/journal participation, or moot court experience.
- Superior communication and organizational abilities, with the self-discipline to thrive in a remote, 35-hour-per-week work environment.
- Genuine interest in animal protection litigation and a desire to pursue a career in public interest law or animal law.
📝 Tips for Applying to Animal Legal Defense Fund
Tailor your cover letter to ALDF's specific litigation work—mention actual cases or campaigns the organization has pursued (e.g., lawsuits against factory farms, roadside zoos, or animal cruelty) to show you've done your homework.
Submit a polished legal writing sample that demonstrates your research and advocacy skills; a memo or brief related to animal law, constitutional law, or administrative law is ideal.
Highlight any animal law coursework, clinics, internships, or volunteer experience—even if not directly legal—to show a consistent commitment to animal protection.
Address your ability to work remotely and independently: mention prior remote work, time management strategies, or experience with collaborative tools like Slack, Zoom, and shared document platforms.
Apply early and follow instructions precisely—ALDF likely receives many applications, so a well-organized, error-free submission with all requested materials will help you stand out.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your specific interest in animal protection litigation and why ALDF in particular, referencing its cases or mission; (2) your legal research and writing skills, with concrete examples such as a memo you drafted or a brief you contributed to; (3) your ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting; and (4) how this clerkship fits into your longer-term career goals in animal law or public interest litigation.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ALDF's website, especially the 'Cases' and 'News' sections, to understand their litigation priorities and recent victories.
- → Read about the organization's history and mission, including its founding and key milestones in animal law.
- → Look up the attorneys in the Litigation Program—their backgrounds, cases they've worked on, and any published articles or interviews.
- → Familiarize yourself with foundational animal law concepts and statutes, such as the Animal Welfare Act, Endangered Species Act, and state anti-cruelty laws.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that could apply to any litigation clerkship—failing to mention animal law or ALDF specifically signals a lack of genuine interest.
- Providing a writing sample that is not legal or is poorly edited; this role requires strong research and writing, so your sample must be flawless.
- Ignoring the remote nature of the position—not addressing how you'll manage remote work or collaborate with a distributed team can raise concerns about your fit.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: November 20, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Animal Legal Defense Fund!