Litigation Fellow

Who we are

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Role Description

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program files strategic high-impact lawsuits against government agencies, individuals, and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, and roadside zoos, that seek to expand the protections for animals under the law.

Litigation Fellows in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program are responsible for the day-to-day management of their assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research, filings, and other aspects of litigation. Litigation Fellows also assist the Litigation Program in developing new cases.

You will report to Senior Staff Attorney (Litigation Program).

How You Will Make a Difference

• Act as counsel under the supervision of a Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Managing Attorney, and be responsible for all research, filings, and other aspects of litigation, for assigned cases and projects. Potentially act as lead counsel where appropriate during second year of fellowship.
• Develop skills as a litigator, including through participating in motions practice, filings, appearances, and arguments, where appropriate.
• Research and develop novel legal theories and strategies, as well as fact patterns, for new cases.
• Manage Law Clerks as assigned.
• Manage drafting, editing, and submission of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to propose, draft, proof, and/or edit content on cases and legal developments.
• Coordinate, as needed, with other programs, including with Criminal Justice Program on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components, Legislative Affairs Program, Animal Law Program, and Pro Bono Programs.
• Manage pro bono and local counsel on cases with external counsel.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.
• Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Litigation Program cases, animal law civil cases in general, and legal strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the Litigation Program and the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission.

Requirements

What We Are Looking For

• A Juris Doctorate degree when the fellowship begins and be admitted to practice law in the state where you will reside during your fellowship (or be awaiting bar results on the start date of your fellowship).
• The Litigation Fellowship is designed to afford developmental experiences in strategic impact litigation in the animal protection sphere for individuals that have recently graduated. To be eligible, you must have graduated from law school within three years of the fellowship start date. We also consider applicants who, although not recent graduates from law school, are looking to move from an unrelated legal practice into animal protection work.
• Understand and be committed to the vision, mission, and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills and be able to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively, including with members, supporters, co-workers, and other counsel.
• A positive attitude and be able to work cooperatively with others and function well in a team-oriented work environment.
• Must travel as needed to fulfill litigation obligations, or for professional conferences, meetings, or other events as required.

Additional Information

Litigation Fellow (Litigation Program) is a full-time, exempt position, beginning in Fall of 2025 and lasting for approximately two years. This is a bargaining unit position.

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Hired individuals will also be required to provide a personal United States address and to work primarily from that address.

Full-time

Remote

Occasional Travel is required for this position (1-6 trips per year)

Work is performed in a home office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment, software, and keyboards

The application deadline for this position is October 14, 2024.

Applicants should combine their cover letter, résumé (including 2-3 professional references), original writing sample, and transcript (unofficial is acceptable) into one PDF and submit via the Paylocity portal.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.