Application Guide
How to Apply for Research Fellow
at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
🏢 About If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
If/When/How is unique as a legal organization specifically focused on reproductive justice through direct legal services, advocacy, and movement-building. Unlike traditional reproductive rights groups, they center people criminalized for pregnancy outcomes and use intersectional, anti-racist frameworks. Someone might want to work here to engage in cutting-edge legal work that directly challenges state violence in reproductive lives while being part of a network of lawyers committed to transformative justice.
About This Role
This Research Fellow role involves conducting deep legal research on mandatory reporting and medical privacy laws affecting criminalized pregnancy outcomes, then translating that research into actionable advocacy over a specific 2-year project timeline (2026-2028). The position is impactful because it directly supports If/When/How's mission to end state violence in reproductive lives through evidence-based legal strategies and movement education.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve conducting statutory research on specific state laws affecting medical privacy, analyzing how mandatory reporting requirements impact criminalized pregnancy outcomes, and drafting advocacy briefs or public education materials. The remote nature means collaborating virtually with legal and advocacy teams while managing the 2-year research-to-action timeline for ending state violence in reproductive lives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Is Looking For
- A recent J.D. graduate with 1-2 years of practical legal experience, ideally including statutory research on reproductive or criminal justice issues
- Someone who can demonstrate both technical proficiency with LexisNexis and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into accessible advocacy materials
- A candidate with demonstrated commitment to reproductive justice frameworks (not just reproductive rights) and anti-racist principles in their previous work or volunteer experience
- A researcher who understands the urgency of the 2026-2028 project timeline and can work independently in a remote setting while collaborating with movement partners
📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Highlight specific experience with statutory research on medical privacy or mandatory reporting laws, even if from law school clinics or internships
Demonstrate your understanding of reproductive justice (vs. reproductive rights) frameworks by using appropriate terminology and citing relevant movements/organizations
Show familiarity with If/When/How's specific work by referencing their cases, reports, or advocacy campaigns in your materials
Emphasize any experience creating advocacy content for different audiences (public, policymakers, movement colleagues) from previous roles
Address how you've worked with anti-racist principles in legal or advocacy contexts, as this is explicitly required
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with legal research tools (LexisNexis, Westlaw) and statutory analysis methodology', 'Demonstrated commitment to reproductive justice through previous work, volunteer, or academic projects', 'Understanding of the intersection between criminalization, pregnancy outcomes, and state violence', 'Ability to translate complex legal research into actionable advocacy within the 2026-2028 project timeline']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review If/When/How's recent legal cases and advocacy campaigns, particularly those involving criminalized pregnancy outcomes
- → Study their "Repro Legal Defense Fund" work and how it intersects with mandatory reporting issues
- → Familiarize yourself with their network of lawyers and movement partners in reproductive justice
- → Understand their specific approach to intersectional advocacy that centers racial justice
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic reproductive rights language instead of reproductive justice frameworks and terminology
- Failing to demonstrate specific statutory research experience or LexisNexis proficiency
- Not addressing the anti-racist principles requirement or treating it as secondary to legal qualifications
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
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 If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice!