2027 Legal Fellow – Call for Fellowship Proposals

National Center for Youth Law

NCYL is a national nonprofit that puts children and youth — especially those pushed to society’s margins — at the center of every fight for justice. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with young people, families, and communities in efforts to dismantle racism, discrimination, and inequity wherever they appear. We recognize that harmful policies don’t affect children in isolation. Each young person’s well-being depends on their family’s stability, their community’s resources, and the opportunities they can access. By working across all systems that shape young people’s lives in a rapidly evolving society, we advance solutions that are holistic, intersectional, and transformative.

Position

NCYL seeks to sponsor applicants for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, and/or other fellowships that would begin in the fall of 2027. This is an exciting opportunity for those interested in working in one or more of the following areas: (i) General Litigation (which may include civil rights, youth justice, ensuring equitable education, youth healthcare access, prevention of harms from the family regulation system, access to core public benefits, among other priority areas); or (ii) Rights of immigrant youth. Our campaigns weave together multiple strategies, including:

• Impact litigation 
• Legislative and policy development and advocacy 
• Coalition building 
• Building the capacity of community-based organizations 

Candidates should have a specific fellowship project in mind and note such in their cover letter, although they do not need to have all of the details worked out. We will work with the fellowship candidate to develop appropriate project proposals.

• For those interested in General Litigation, we are particularly interested in sponsoring fellowship projects that seek to: challenge federal policy changes that significantly harm children and youth; defend or advance core state and federal constitutional rights of children and youth; and defend against litigation that tries to expand the Supreme Court’s holdings in SFFA, Mahmoud and Mirabelli to curtail youth rights.
• For those interested in the rights of immigrant children, we are particularly interested in sponsoring projects that seek to protect and advance the rights of children detained in federal immigration custody.

Essential Functions

• In collaboration with NCYL staff, develop a proposal for a project that advances justice for children and youth who face significant, systemic barriers to access, opportunity, and fair treatment. 
• Apply to the public interest fellowships for which NCYL agrees to provide sponsorship. 
• Once a fellowship is awarded, join NCYL as a fellow in September 2027. 
• Implement the fellowship project under the supervision of NCYL staff. 
• Attend organizational and team meetings and retreats. 
• ​​Assist with responding to intake requests. ​
• Assist with legal research and writing assignments on other matters, as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduating from law school in Spring 2027 or have served as a law clerk since graduating from law school in the prior year.
• Interest in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus.
• Commitment to advancing justice by protecting the rights of children and youth and improving the systems that impact their lives.
• Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position requires the ability to work remotely and requires some travel.

Salary, Benefits and Location

This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary of $78,221.00 annually. Once an offer is made, the salary is not open to negotiation.

A geographic salary differential may be applied if the candidate resides somewhere other than the Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, New York City, Washington, DC or equivalent metro areas. This means that the salary would be reduced if the candidate resides in an area where the cost of labor is less than that of the San Francisco Bay Area.

NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan and short-term and long-term disability insurance.

NCYL is registered to do business in the following 13 locations: California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, and Wisconsin. We are in the process of registering in Minnesota and Washington State. If a candidate is hired but lives in a state where NCYL is not currently registered to do business, their start date may need to be delayed until registration can be completed in the new state. This process may take a few weeks to complete.

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW). While a collective bargaining agreement is not currently in place, it is anticipated in the future.

Please note: Employment as a Fellow is not a suggestion or promise of future employment with NCYL. Fellows are temporary employees who enter NCYL with a fellowship of finite duration.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample (5-7 pages that demonstrate analytical skills), and law school transcript at the link below. (You will need to click on “Upload Additional Files” to submit the writing sample and transcript.)

Please, no emails or calls.

Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4292890

We welcome applications from individuals with different ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Applicants who meet the above criteria with lived experiences within any of our practice areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law. NCYL makes all employment decisions based on job-related factors.

NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan and short-term and long-term disability insurance.