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 services and advocacy organization specifically focused on reproductive justice through both direct representation and systemic change. Unlike traditional legal nonprofits, they work at the intersection of criminal law, reproductive health, and state violence, representing individuals criminalized for pregnancy outcomes while reshaping laws and building networks of reproductive justice lawyers. Someone might want to work here to engage in cutting-edge legal advocacy that directly challenges the criminalization of pregnancy and reproductive decisions.
About This Role
This Research Fellow role involves conducting deep legal research on mandatory reporting and medical privacy laws affecting people criminalized for pregnancy outcomes, then translating that research into advocacy materials for policymakers, movement partners, and the public. 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 that inform both individual rights education and systemic policy change.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning research on state-specific mandatory reporting statutes using LexisNexis, followed by drafting analysis for an internal legal memo. The afternoon could include collaborating with the Strategic Advocacy Team to adapt research findings into public education materials, and potentially preparing for an upcoming virtual presentation to movement partners about medical privacy protections.
🚀 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 research/writing experience, ideally with exposure to reproductive justice, criminal law, or health law contexts
- Someone with demonstrated proficiency in LexisNexis and legal research tools who can efficiently analyze complex state/federal laws on medical privacy and mandatory reporting
- A candidate with clear commitment to anti-racist principles and reproductive justice, evidenced through coursework, volunteer work, or previous employment in social justice organizations
- A strong writer who can translate legal concepts into accessible advocacy materials for diverse audiences including policymakers and movement colleagues
📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Highlight specific experience with LexisNexis or Westlaw in your resume, including any complex legal research projects on state laws or medical privacy issues
Demonstrate your understanding of reproductive justice (not just reproductive rights) by discussing how criminalization disproportionately affects marginalized communities
Include writing samples that show both traditional legal analysis AND translation of legal concepts for non-legal audiences
Reference specific If/When/How campaigns or cases you admire, showing you've studied their advocacy approach
Emphasize any experience with mandatory reporting laws or medical privacy statutes, even if from law school clinics or internships
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with legal research on state laws and medical privacy issues, with concrete examples of research projects', 'How your background demonstrates commitment to reproductive justice and anti-racist principles in practice', 'Your ability to translate complex legal concepts into advocacy materials for diverse audiences', "Why If/When/How's specific approach to ending state violence in reproductive lives resonates with your professional goals"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review If/When/How's recent cases and advocacy campaigns, particularly those involving criminalization of pregnancy outcomes
- → Study their 'Reproductive Justice Legal Toolkit' and other public-facing legal education materials to understand their communication style
- → Research their Strategic Advocacy Team's recent publications and policy positions on mandatory reporting laws
- → Familiarize yourself with key reproductive justice organizations they collaborate with and recent movement developments
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic 'pro-choice' language instead of reproductive justice framework that centers marginalized communities
- Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of mandatory reporting laws or medical privacy statutes in application materials
- Submitting writing samples that only show traditional legal briefs without examples of translating law for public/policy audiences
📅 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!