Nonprofit
U.S. Project-Based Legal Fellowship
Details
Description
U.S. Project-Based Legal Fellowship
Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
U.S. Advocacy and Litigation
Deadline: July 24, 2026
The Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center is pleased to announce a call for applications from rising third-year law students, judicial law clerks, and recent law graduates for a project-based legal fellowship funded by a sponsoring organization, such as the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, individual law schools, or other funding organizations. The Fellow will be hosted by the U.S. Advocacy and Litigation team at the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center beginning in the Fall of 2027 for a one- to two-year appointment, depending on funder terms. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.
The selected candidate will work with the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center to develop an application for external funding for a project-based legal fellowship designed to advance respect for human rights in the U.S criminal and immigration legal systems. In line with our strategic objectives and priorities, we encourage applications that use movement lawyering in alliance with frontline partners to expose and stop racial discrimination, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in the U.S. criminal and immigration legal systems.
The Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center was founded in 1968 as a living memorial to carry forward Robert Kennedy’s vision of a more just and peaceful world. The U.S. Advocacy and Litigation team partners with grassroots human rights defenders to reduce mass incarceration in American society. Examples of our current work include: federal litigation challenging abusive immigration enforcement practices, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and physical and sexual abuse in immigration detention centers; federal litigation challenging racial discrimination, extrajudicial killings, and torture by U.S. police departments; international human rights litigation before regional mechanisms seeking accountability for human rights abuses committed by U.S. police; human rights reporting conducted on legal outreach trips to isolated immigration detention centers across the country; and support for grassroots campaigns to abolish solitary confinement through legislation.
Qualifications:
- A rising third-year law student, judicial law clerk, or recent law graduate;
- A demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice;
- Previous experience with criminal legal and/or immigration advocacy and/or litigation;
- Exceptional analytical skills, and an ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills;
- Strong attention to detail and able to scope out errors, including a willingness to own and fix mistakes;
- Exceptional time management, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once;
- Innovative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential;
- Strong sense of teamwork that builds positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and a willingness to help others;
- Believes in inclusivity when working with colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Applicants interested in school-based or other fellowships should apply on a rolling basis. Note that, because there are a limited number of positions at KHRC, we will be making selections on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible.
No phone calls please. Kennedy HRC will contact qualified candidates directly.
The Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you're in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@kennedyhumanrights.org with the subj. line "Accommodation Request". Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud
- Having interviews in a more accessible location/format
Benefits
Benefits and other Perks:
- Minimum annual salary of $63,500-$68,000 (gross), depending on funder terms;
- 5 hour workweek (7.5 hour days) ;
- Flexibility and independence to help manage your work and home life: Staff have the ability to work from home or telecommute 3-4 days a week.
- KHRC values your health: We cover 100% of individual-only costs of our platinum medical, dental, vision benefits, and subsidizes the cost for dependent coverage.
- KHRC understands the importance of financial planning and saving:
- A College Saveup/Loan PayDown program with an automatic $200/monthly contribution for any current loans or future loans.
- An automatic monthly cell phone & internet speed stipend of $125/monthly to offset any phone & internet expenses.
- Employees receive a $1,000 benefits card to use at your discretion towards food and home & life purchases.
- KHRC values your growth: We provide an annual $1,000 professional development stipend to all full-time staff to use towards any courses, conferences, or training that would further one's professional learning and development. As well as professional development days/hours to complete these courses.
- KHRC loves to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings.
Location
Associated Location
Suite 801
Apply to This Job
Application Materials and Submission Deadline:
Please submit the following materials to applications@rfkhumanrights.org with the subject line, “[Your Name] U.S. Advocacy and Litigation Project Fellowship Application” by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026:
- A cover letter sharing a) why you’re interested in partnering with KHRC as your host, b) which fellowship(s) you would like to apply for (e.g., Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or a particular law school fellowship, etc.). Applicants are encouraged to seek out any available sources of funding. b) a short description, no longer than two paragraphs, of your proposed project, and c) the goals you hope to accomplish in a time-limited fellowship;
- A resume;
- A law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable);
- A list of two recommenders: one should be a professional or academic source, and the other a more personal source (someone who can personally attest to your individual commitment to human rights and/or the advancement of human dignity more generally); and
- A brief (maximum 10-page), unedited writing sample. Ideal writing samples will include legal writing related to the criminal or legal immigration system.
- Please save each document with your first and last names listed first or, if possible, combine documents into a single PDF.
Applicants interested in school-based or other fellowships should apply on a rolling basis. Note that, because there are a limited number of positions at KHRC, we will be making selections on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible.
