Legal Fellow

Use your legal skills to help transform the food system

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How you will make a difference

As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to advance GFI’s mission by conducting research on timely regulatory and legislative issues facing the alternative protein industry and producing high-quality research memoranda, bill analyses, and reports that will support the Policy and Government Relations team’s work. The Legal Fellow will be responsible for:

• Conducting legal and policy research related to the regulation of alternative proteins and producing clear, accurate legal analysis.
• Drafting research memoranda on topics related to the regulation of alternative proteins.
• Drafting bill analyses and/or reports on proposed legislation impacting alternative proteins.
• Attending internal and external meetings, workshops, and webinars as applicable.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who we’re looking for

An ideal candidate for the Legal Fellow position will have experience that reflects the following:

• At least one year completed at an ABA-accredited law school and actively pursuing a J.D., or graduated with a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• A sense of ownership and accountability over assigned work and goals.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

GFI wants the best people and is committed to a fair hiring process. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to increase fairness in our process. We also prioritize an inclusive work environment absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. People of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability are encouraged to apply.

If you are passionate about GFI’s mission, think you have what it takes to be successful in this position, and meet many of the job requirements — even if you don’t check all the boxes — please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The fine print

• Position Type: Temporary, part-time employee
• Position Term: 12 hours a week for 10 weeks; schedule to be set with GFI supervisor
• Reports to: Madeline Cohen, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs
• Location: Farragut Square, Washington, D.C.; Hybrid
• Pay rate: $30/hour (up to 12 hours per week) to be paid weekly

Important dates

Application deadline: Tuesday, October 28

Anticipated start date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (flexible)