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Legal Fellowship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Sunnyvale, CA

Legal Fellow (Post-Bar)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$52.48 - $66.98/hr

Conduct legal research on municipal, constitutional, administrative, employment, land use, open ... Perform other duties consistent with the educational and skills goals of the fellowship WORKING ...

Equal Justice Works

$85 - $96/hr

As part of this work, the Network Manager will serve as a regional lead of the Design Your Own Legal Fellowship Program managing and growing a portfolio of longstanding and new Fellowship sponsors ...

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How much do legal fellowship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal fellowship in the United States is $29.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a legal fellowship?

A Legal Fellowship is a temporary, often competitive position for law graduates or early-career attorneys to gain practical legal experience and develop specialized skills. These fellowships may be offered by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, or law firms and typically last from one to two years. Fellows usually work under the supervision of experienced attorneys, engaging in research, litigation, policy work, or direct legal services. Legal Fellowships are valuable for building a professional network and enhancing a resume, especially for those interested in public interest law or academia.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a legal fellow expect during their fellowship?

Legal Fellows often work on a variety of projects that may include legal research, drafting memoranda, supporting litigation, and assisting with policy analysis. Depending on the host organization, fellows may also participate in client meetings, advocacy efforts, or community outreach. The work environment is typically collaborative, with fellows receiving mentorship from experienced attorneys and regular feedback. This exposure allows fellows to develop practical legal skills, deepen their subject-matter expertise, and build valuable professional networks for future career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a legal fellow, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legal Fellow, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, strong legal research and writing skills, and a thorough understanding of relevant laws and procedures. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and sometimes bar admission or eligibility, are typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering high-quality legal analysis and support while advancing organizational or public interest goals.

What is the difference between Legal Fellowship vs Legal Associate?

AspectLegal FellowshipLegal Associate
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), often recent graduatesJuris Doctor (JD), licensed to practice law
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, public interest, or government settingsLaw firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal aid organizations, government agencies, non-profitsPrivate law firms, corporations, government offices
Common Search & ComparisonLegal FellowshipLegal Associate

Legal Fellowships are typically short-term positions for recent law graduates focusing on public interest or policy work, often unpaid or low-paid. Legal Associates are licensed attorneys working in law firms or corporate settings, handling client cases and legal matters. While both roles require a JD, Fellowships emphasize training and public service, whereas Associates focus on client representation and legal practice.

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Legal Fellowship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Fellowship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,327 per year, or $29 per hour.

Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy Legal Fellow

Human Rights First

Remote

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Human Rights First’s Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy team seeks to sponsor a law student or recent law school graduate as a legal fellow for a one- or two-year fellowship commencing in fall 2027. We seek current law student applicants who intend to apply for Equal Justice Works, or another privately-funded, one- or two-year public service fellowship. Applicants must graduate from law school no later than summer 2027.
Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and action organization committed to defending human rights. Our Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy team works to promote the protection of refugee, reform U.S. asylum law, policies and practices, address deficiencies in the U.S. resettlement system, and bring other U.S. immigration policies and practices into line with international refugee protection and human rights law standards.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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The fellow will work full-time to conduct legal, factual, and policy research and reporting, conduct policy analysis, and advance advocacy efforts to promote the protection of refugees and rights of immigrants. They will be supervised by and receive mentoring by the team’s senior research and policy counsel. Previous legal fellows with Human Rights First have had the opportunity to, among other things:
  • Engage in advocacy on behalf of detained individuals seeking asylum
  • Conduct research and advocacy on border policies impacting people seeking asylum and the detention of children and parents
  • Research the barriers that asylum seekers with disabilities face in immigration court and before the asylum office
  • Draft press releases, policy recommendations, and reports to advocate for systemic change of the asylum system, many of which have been reported in media outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Buzzfeed News
Human Rights First is primarily interested in projects that will support our efforts to advance due process and address systemic impediments to access to asylum and access to counsel and fair proceedings during border processes, in immigration detention, and during adjudications, particularly given unlawful restrictions in place by current policies and practices, including forced third country transfers. There may also be an opportunity to support the Refugee Representation team with limited scope direct representation of asylum seekers, which would be supervised by an attorney on the Refugee Representation team.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
  • A U.S. law degree (J.D.) by summer 2027
  • Admission to a state bar or pending admission as of fall 2027
  • Previous experience working with asylum-seekers or immigrants, through law school clinics, judicial clerkships, or legal internships
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated ability to translate highly-technical material for a variety of audiences
  • Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
  • Familiarity with U.S. immigration law and policy
  • Ability to take initiative, manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues
  • Willingness to travel occasionally within the United States to conduct research on access to asylum and document the impact of U.S. asylum policies
  • Fluency in Spanish is preferred, and fluency in another language, such as an Indigenous language of the Americas, Haitian Kreyol, or French, is desirable
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Competencies (DEIA)
Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:
  • Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners
  • Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity in all the work you do
  • Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Dedicate efforts to enriching DEIA consciousness throughout our office-wide interactions
  • Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook
Position is remote but must be based near one of our Washington, D.C., New York City, or Los Angeles offices.
Salary Range $65,000 to $70,000.

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