2026 Legal Fellowship

About Us

Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) is a national organization committed to advancing justice and equity for transgender and non-binary people through impact litigation, direct legal services, advocacy, and public education. A4TE’s Legal Programs Department currently includes the Impact Litigation Project, Name Change Project, and Trans Health Project. A4TE has sued counties in New York and Florida for violence against trans people in jails. We’ve won federal lawsuits in Georgia and North Carolina seeking the removal of transgender-related exclusions in employee health care plans. We are actively partnering with grassroots leaders and organizations in Texas and other states to push back against the attacks on transgender young people. Last year alone, we assisted over 500 low-income trans people in name changes. And we’re just getting started.

Position Overview

Title: 2026 Legal Fellowship Sponsorship

Reports to: Co-Interim Legal Director

Type: Exempt

Location: Remote, U.S.

Projected Salary: $81,952.58. (Our salaries are determined by our collective bargaining agreement, available on our website. This salary is likely to change prior to start, as we are currently re-negotiating this CBA. Please note, Legal Fellows are responsible for sourcing their own financial compensation from a fellowship program.)

A4TE seeks applications for sponsorship of an organized, adaptive, and motivated Legal Fellow to join its growing Legal Program. The fellowship is a one or two year position that combines furthering A4TE’s legal work and mission with learning the skills necessary for successful impact litigation and legal advocacy. We welcome proposals for national public interest law fellowships. The Legal Fellow should be: passionate about transgender legal advocacy; committed to centering the needs of A4TE’s transgender clients and stakeholders; intellectually curious; collegial; and familiar with and respectful of gender diversity.

Primary Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of impact litigation as they arise in relevant cases during a fellowship year, including development and investigation, administrative matters, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trials, appeals, and settlement negotiations.
• Participate in all aspects of amicus briefing, including research, writing, and working with clients and pro bono partners.
• Address intakes and participate in the investigation of new cases.
• Monitor federal and state legislation and rulemaking pertinent to potential litigation or advocacy.
• Draft legal and policy resources for a range of audiences, including “Know Your Rights” content, template legal documents, legal memos, and advocacy materials.

Additional Duties

• Assist the development, communications, and public education teams with their development of presentations, written materials, and other content.
• Assist the Legal Program and support staff with developing and implementing new IT and administrative systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A J.D. degree—or expected to receive a J.D. degree by spring of 2026—from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Either a license to practice law or, for recent graduates, completion of the bar exam and pending admission application.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analysis skills.
• Ability to conceptualize and implement a fellowship project that addresses an unmet legal need and aligns with A4TE's mission and expertise.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to issues impacting transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people.
• Familiarity with the fundamental anti-discrimination and transgender rights statutes and legal precedents, including but not limited to federal statutory and constitutional guarantees.
• Willingness to be part of a diverse movement with multiple leaders, and to represent and amplify the voices of communities that cross lines of gender identity and expression, race, class, ability, and immigration status.
• Ability to think critically about intersectional and systemic issues, including but not limited to transphobia, racism, classism, ableism, and xenophobia.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively partner with diverse collaborators.
• Commitment to remain positive, maintain discretion, and resolve conflict from a place of integrity, humility, and compassion.
• Ability to set priorities and juggle multiple deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications, legal research tools, and Internet research.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish is a plus, but not required.

Union

This position is union-eligible. A4TE’s collective bargaining unit is affiliated with UAW Local 2325.

Hiring at A4TE

A4TE acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description’s qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed in our job descriptions or be equally proficient in each area. If your background and skills are a close match for an open position, you are strongly encouraged to apply; we especially encourage potential applicants who are impacted by A4TE’s work to submit their application.

A4TE is an equal opportunity employer. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; immigrants; people with disabilities, including those living with HIV; formerly incarcerated people; and people with lived experiences of poverty are all strongly encouraged to apply.

Transparency:

For detailed information about our salary philosophy, offered benefits, and the terms of collective bargaining agreement, please visit www.transequality.org/jobs.