Public Rights Project Fellowship

About The Fellowship

Public Rights Project helps talented attorneys find pathways into rewarding public service careers. We place skilled, public interest-minded fellows into state, local, and tribal government law offices -- City Attorneys, District Attorneys, or Attorneys General -- for two years. Fellows have the opportunity to work on a range of civil rights, economic justice, and environmental justice issues that directly impact vulnerable populations locally and across the country.

Fellows will work collaboratively alongside colleagues in their government offices on affirmative litigation, coalition building and community engagement, policy research, and other enforcement projects developed with their placement offices. They will help develop new cases and generate new ideas for their office to expand public rights enforcement.

Fellows will also publish at least one blog post, article, or policy paper with Public Rights Project during their fellowship on a topic related to their work. For example, a fellow working on predatory lending may publish an issue brief identifying strategies and legal theories other state, local, and tribal governments may wish to use to address the problem in their communities.

Locations

During the 2021-23 cycle, fellows will have the opportunity to work in the Offices of the Harris County Attorney, Los Angeles Civil, Human Rights & Equity Department, Massachusetts Attorney General, Oakland City Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney, Pima County Attorney, Travis County District Attorney, and Washtenaw Prosecuting Attorney.

Commitment To Diversity

Public Rights Project is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. We aim to assemble an applicant pool that represents the face of the world we live in. We believe that a variety of perspectives enrich the efficacy of the work of state, local, and tribal governments. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the fellowship without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, color, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.

Professional Development

Fellows begin with a multi-day orientation with Public Rights Project, followed by onboarding with their placement offices. Orientation consists of in-depth training and workshops on topics pertinent to the fellowship, including:

• City and state government structure

• Successful models for affirmative litigation

• Leadership in government

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Stakeholder engagement and partnership

Throughout the program, fellows will participate in monthly check-in calls with other fellows and Public Rights Project staff. Fellows will also receive periodic professional development opportunities from Public Rights Project staff and partners.

Stipend

The fellowship pays a yearly stipend calculated based on the fellow’s legal experience, cost of living in the fellow’s placement city, and the average pay of other attorneys in the fellow’s placement office. Generally, the stipend will range from $60,000-80,000.

Eligibility

Fellows must have an active bar membership in a U.S. state and a passion for public service. The fellowship is likely to be ideally suited for attorneys with 3-5 years of legal experience after law school, and a background in litigation.

What We’re Looking For

Enthusiasm for Public Service: Lawyers who are committed to upholding civil, economic, and environmental rights, especially on behalf of vulnerable and underserved communities. We’re looking for attorneys who are passionate about the power of government to improve people’s lives, and who want to use the law to make positive change in their communities.

Ability to Navigate Complex Organizations: Candidates who are able to quickly understand the intricacies of state, local, and tribal governments and work collaboratively, both inside the organization and with outside stakeholders, in order to solve problems and seize opportunities.

Legal Research and Writing Skills: Attorneys with stellar research and writing skills, and a passion for learning.

Litigation Experience: Candidates with litigation experience so that they can hit the ground running on small enforcement teams. Plaintiff-side or affirmative litigation experience is especially beneficial.

Entrepreneurial and Creative Thinking: Problem-solvers who are innovative in their approach to legal work and curious about a wide variety of substantive areas of law and policy.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Teammates who are able to bring together a diverse set of stakeholders and build trusting relationships both inside and outside the agency.

Effective Advocates: People with a track record of effectively managing projects and deadlines and who have shown the ability to successfully complete complex projects within deadlines and with resource constraints.