How to apply for Litigation Program Fellow (2027-2029)

About Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is an animal law advocacy organization that uses the legal system to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals. It is one of the few groups focused entirely on animal protection litigation, so fellows work on cases that aim to set legal precedent. The fellowship is a two-year program (2027-2029) designed to develop strategic impact litigation skills.

About the role

The Litigation Program Fellow manages assigned cases and litigation matters under attorney supervision. The fellow conducts legal research, develops novel legal theories, manages law clerks and pro bono counsel, and drafts amicus curiae briefs. This role is one of the primary ways the organization builds new animal protection cases and supports existing litigation across the country.

A typical day

A typical day might involve researching a novel legal theory for a new case, drafting sections of an amicus brief, and reviewing work from a law clerk. You would also coordinate with pro bono counsel on an assigned litigation matter and meet with attorneys to discuss case strategy. Because the role is remote, most communication happens through email, video calls, and shared documents.

Who Animal Legal Defense Fund is looking for

• A law school graduate or recent attorney with strong legal research and writing skills, especially in drafting briefs and memos.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in animal protection law, impact litigation, or public interest law.
• Comfort managing multiple litigation matters and supervising law clerks or pro bono counsel.
• Ability to develop novel legal theories and work independently in a remote setting.

Tips for this application

• In your cover letter, name specific animal protection cases or legal issues the Animal Legal Defense Fund has worked on, such as farm animal confinement or captive animal cases, and explain how you would contribute to similar litigation.
• Highlight any experience drafting amicus briefs, conducting legal research for impact litigation, or managing law clerks or pro bono attorneys, since these are core duties in the fellowship.
• Show you understand the fellowship is a two-year commitment (2027-2029) and that you are available for that full period.
• Provide a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to develop legal arguments, ideally a brief or memo related to animal law, environmental law, or civil rights.
• Mention any remote work experience, since the role is remote (US) and requires self-direction and coordination with a distributed team.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your specific interest in animal protection law and why you want to work at the Animal Legal Defense Fund rather than a general public interest organization.', 'Your experience with impact litigation, including any cases, research, or briefs you have worked on that aimed to change law or policy.', 'Your ability to manage law clerks and pro bono counsel, with examples of how you have supervised or coordinated legal work.', 'Your understanding of the fellowship structure and your commitment to the full 2027-2029 term.']

Research before applying

• Read the Animal Legal Defense Fund's website, especially their active cases, amicus briefs, and recent victories, to understand their litigation priorities.
• Look up the fellowship program details, including any past fellows and the types of cases they worked on, to see what the two-year experience involves.
• Review recent animal law legal developments, such as state and federal cases on animal cruelty, farm animal confinement, or captive wildlife, to prepare for discussions on novel legal theories.
• Check the organization's annual reports or press releases to learn about their strategic goals and how the litigation program fits into their broader advocacy.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would develop a novel legal theory for an animal protection case, with a specific example of a legal issue you might pursue.
• Your experience drafting amicus curiae briefs and how you approach writing a persuasive brief for a court.
• How you manage law clerks and pro bono counsel, including how you assign work, review drafts, and keep cases on schedule.
• Your knowledge of the Animal Legal Defense Fund's past and current cases, and which ones interest you most.
• How you handle working remotely on litigation matters, including communication with attorneys and co-counsel.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention animal protection law or the Animal Legal Defense Fund's specific work.
• Failing to show any experience or interest in litigation, such as legal research, brief writing, or case management, since the role is focused on impact litigation.
• Ignoring the fellowship's two-year term or applying without confirming availability for 2027-2029, which could signal a lack of commitment to the program.