12 Early Career Law Fellowships

Whether you’re a law student, a recent graduate, or an early-career attorney, law fellowships offer a powerful way to jumpstart your legal career while making a difference. From defending civil liberties to advancing reproductive justice, these programs provide hands-on legal experience, professional development, and funding to work on today’s most pressing issues. This list includes a variety of fellowships, ranging from short-term summer placements to multi-year public interest roles, that support emerging leaders in the legal field. If one sounds like a fit for your goals, be sure to bookmark it on ProFellow!

If you’re currently a law student, be sure to check out our list of summer fellowships!

Partners for Justice Professional Fellowship

The Partners for Justice Professional Fellowship is a full-time, two-year opportunity for early-career professionals to serve as Client Advocates within public defender offices across the U.S. Advocates work directly with clients to mitigate the impacts of criminal legal system involvement by helping with issues like housing, healthcare, employment, child services, and public benefits. Fellows gain hands-on experience in legal advocacy, collaborate closely with attorneys, and build networks of community resources to support clients. The fellowship includes robust training, mentorship, and professional development, offering a powerful public service experience and insight into systemic justice work. Compensation ranges from $40,000 to $55,000 depending on location.

Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program

The Ringer Fellowship is an 18–24-month paid opportunity for early-career attorneys and law clerks with a demonstrated interest in copyright law. Fellows work at the U.S. Copyright Office alongside senior attorneys on complex legal and policy matters across several offices, including the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Policy and International Affairs. Eligible applicants must be in their final year of law school or have less than five years of legal practice. Fellows are appointed as full-time federal employees with benefits and are hired at the GS-11 level or higher, depending on experience and bar admission status. This prestigious public service fellowship offers in-depth exposure to the U.S. copyright system and career development in intellectual property law.

Dave Kennedy Fellowship

The Dave Kennedy Fellowship is a prestigious 10-week summer program for law students offered by the Institute for Justice (IJ), a leading public interest law firm focused on constitutional litigation. Fellows work closely with IJ attorneys to contribute directly to impactful civil rights cases in both state and federal courts. Responsibilities may include drafting legal motions, conducting discovery, and preparing for hearings. The fellowship provides hands-on legal experience in strategic litigation and pays a stipend of $8,000. Positions are available at IJ’s Arlington, VA headquarters and other offices nationwide.

Equal Justice Works Design Your Own Fellowship

The Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship empowers early-career lawyers to create and lead innovative legal projects that address unmet legal needs in underserved communities. Fellows partner with a host organization of their choice to propose a two-year project focused on equal access to justice. The fellowship provides up to $63,500 per year in salary support, health and fringe benefits, up to $5,000 in loan repayment assistance, and access to the annual Leadership Development Training in Washington, D.C. This unique opportunity supports passionate advocates in building impactful public interest careers.

Helton Fellowship Program

The Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program offers “micro-grants” to law students and recent graduates pursuing fieldwork and research in international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related fields. Fellows design their own projects in partnership with an established organization, such as an NGO, governmental agency, or academic institution. Since its founding, the program has supported over 120 young professionals on projects across four continents. Preference is given to proposals with strong fieldwork components and a focus on refugee rights, humanitarian issues, or international criminal law. These fellowships help launch impactful careers by providing crucial funding for travel and living expenses.

Independence Foundation Public Interest Law Fellowships

Independence Foundation is committed to supporting free legal services for residents of the Philadelphia region. Through the Fellowship Program, the Foundation funds the compensation and employment benefits for accomplished young lawyers who have decided to direct their considerable talents to public interest service. The Foundation requires that the focus of all Fellowship work be on direct representation of disadvantaged clients. The Foundation also assists the Fellows in repayment of their often substantial educational loans.

Reproductive Justice Fellowship Program

The Reproductive Justice Fellowship Program, run by If/When/How, is a one-year policy-focused fellowship that places recent law school graduates with organizations advancing reproductive justice across the U.S. Fellows work on issues such as reproductive health access, immigrant and LGBTQ+ justice, and racial equity, while gaining hands-on policy advocacy experience. In addition to a salary and benefits, fellows receive mentorship, professional development, and leadership training. RJFP stands out for empowering new lawyers to creatively apply their legal skills outside traditional courtroom settings, centering community advocacy and movement lawyering. The fellowship prioritizes applicants from diverse backgrounds and fosters a strong alumni network that continues to shape the reproductive justice movement.

Skadden Fellowship

The Skadden Fellowship is a prestigious two-year public interest law fellowship that supports recent law graduates, judicial clerks, and LL.M. candidates committed to addressing unmet civil legal needs for low-income communities in the U.S. Fellows design their own public interest legal projects in partnership with a qualified nonprofit host organization. Often described as the “legal Peace Corps,” the program is dedicated to launching impactful careers in public service. Since 1988, the Skadden Fellowship Foundation has funded over 1,000 fellows, many of whom continue to lead in the nonprofit legal sector throughout their careers.

Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Law Fellowship

The Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Law Fellowship is offered to students attending either of Maryland’s two law schools, The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law. Fellows intern in the public service law sector, usually within the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, or in a nonprofit or government organization which assists in providing legal services to low-income or under-represented individuals or groups. Fellows are paid a $3,000 stipend and the program runs from May to August.

Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program

The Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP) offers Fellowships for public interest lawyers from the United States who are committed to advancing women’s rights throughout their careers. Throughout the Fellowship year, participants gain invaluable experience by working on women’s issues in Washington, D.C. with a public interest organization or governmental agency and by participating in educational and professional development opportunities organized by WLPPFP. The program offers both one-year and two-year fellowship opportunities. Both men and women can apply. Fellows receive an annual stipend of approximately $60,000-75,000

Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellowship Program

The Paul H. Tobias (PHT) Attorney Fellowship is a two-year opportunity for recent law graduates to work at the intersection of law and policy affecting workers’ rights. Based at the National Institute for Workers’ Rights, fellows lead impactful projects that advance workplace justice, from legal research and policy development to community engagement and public education. Fellows also manage the Institute’s amicus program, contributing to or coordinating briefs submitted to federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. The fellowship offers a $70,000 annual salary, professional development funding, full benefits, and the flexibility to work remotely or from offices in Washington, D.C. or California. Ideal candidates are passionate about civil and workers’ rights and have strong research, writing, and collaboration skills.

Mozilla Fellowships

Mozilla Fellowships provide resources, tools, community, and amplification to those building a more ​humane​ ​digital​ ​world. During their tenure, Fellows use their skill sets — in technology, advocacy, and law — to design products, run campaigns, influence policy, and ultimately lay the groundwork for a more open and inclusive internet. Fellows from around the globe are invited to apply and skills from many disciplines can be utilized, from researchers in the humanities to technology experts. Mozilla Fellows work with a global community of thousands and are also awarded competitive compensation and benefits.

Already passed the early career phase? Be sure to check out the database for mid-career fellowships for lawyers and legal workers!

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