U.S. Legal Fellow

Position Title: U.S Legal Fellow

Department: U.S. Legal

Location: Remote optional from NY, CT, WA, VA, MD, or DC

Application Deadline: Rolling until November 24, 2026

Start Date: September 2027; contingent on receiving the Justice Catalyst funding

Reports to: Senior Staff Attorney

Years of Relevant Experience: 0-2 years

Annual Salary: $68,000

Work Authorization: United States (required)

EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, is seeking to sponsor a 3L or recent U.S. law school graduate for an externally funded fellowship through Justice Catalyst starting September 2027.

For more than 30 years, EarthRights has brought groundbreaking lawsuits in U.S. courts against corporations involved in human rights and environmental abuse against communities around the world. Starting with Doe v. Unocal, EarthRights has helped to shape the field of corporate accountability. We continue working with communities around the world to prevent abuse by, and obtain remedies from, multinational corporations, including through the U.S. legal system. This fellowship sponsorship is an opportunity to join in that work.

EarthRights will collaborate with the applicant to develop a strong project application that aligns the applicant’s interest and the U.S. Legal Team’s needs. The project will support EarthRights’ human rights and environmental corporate accountability work. In addition to the case experience provided, the Fellow will gain additional experience as a fully integrated member of the U.S. Legal Team while receiving substantive mentorship.

Justice Catalyst requires the following qualifications for its fellowship candidates:

• You must currently be a U.S. law student or have graduated a U.S. law school within the past two years

Responsibilities are likely to include:

• Conduct legal research on U.S. law.
  
• Prepare legal memorandums, court briefs, and filings for U.S. and other legal systems.
  
• Work in collaboration with communities, partner NGOs, and co-counsel to assist in the development of legal and advocacy strategies.
  
• Research new legal strategies to defend the human and environmental rights of frontline communities.
  
• Communicate EarthRights’ work through web content and media contacts.
  
• Collaborate on EarthRights publications
  
• If the fellowship is longer than one year, participate in the hiring and supervision of interns starting in the second year.

The ideal candidate for sponsorship will demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve communities experiencing human and/or environmental harms
  
• Experience working with impacted communities, Indigenous communities, and/or grassroots organizations
  
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams
  
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  

Desired Skills and Experience

• A background or experience in international human rights, environmental law, civil rights law, corporate accountability, and/or Indigenous peoples’ rights
  
• Experience in regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or other fields related to issues of human rights, environmental protection, and Indigenous peoples
  
• Experience and/or interest in U.S. litigation
  
• Strong research and writing skills
  
• Foreign language skills

Benefits

• 20 days of vacation & 15 sick days per year
  
• 13 paid federal holidays; office closed from December 24 – January 1
  
• $200 Home office stipend
  
• Generous employer non-elective retirement contribution
  
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
  
• Employee wellness benefits and transportation benefits
  
• 18 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave for eligible employees
  
• Caregiving benefits of $2,000 annually
  
• Generous Professional Development budget
  
• Remote work from Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington, and DC
  
• A casual work environment

****This is a bargaining unit position represented by SEIU Local 500.

How To Apply
If you wish to be considered for a Justice Catalyst sponsorship, please submit your resume, a writing sample of no more than 10 pages, and draft project prospectus.

Due to the high volume of candidates, only shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview.

Due to the volume of applications, only short listed candidates may be contacted.

This employer participates in E-Verify. Please visit the following link for more information: https://implan.com/wp-content/uploads/E-Verify-Participation-Poster.pdf

EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.