2027 Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship

Glendale Fire Department; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend $8,000 total

Philadelphia or DC offices

10 weeks

Job summary

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) invites rising 2Ls and 3Ls to participate in the Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship in First Amendment Litigation, a 10-week, paid program that supports work on FIRE’s cutting-edge civil-liberties cases.

Fellows will be based in FIRE’s Philadelphia or D.C. offices, receive substantial training in public-interest practice, and may join FIRE's Alumni Association after completion, with potential for future engagement as part of our Legal Network.

Qualifications

• Law students with strong academic record and a demonstrated interest in civil liberties.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Work at FIRE’s Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. offices and contribute to cutting-edge First Amendment litigation.
• Engage in legal research and writing, client interaction, and media relations within public-interest practice.
• Support active cases and help advance FIRE’s strategic litigation goals.

Job description

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Overview

The Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship in First Amendment Litigation is FIRE’s premier summer opportunity for law students committed to defending free expression. This 10-week, paid opportunity offers an $8,000 stipend and runs from June through August. Fellows work at FIRE’s Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. offices, contributing directly to cutting-edge litigation that protects freedom of speech, expression, and thought.

The position will run from June 1st, 2027 to August 6th, 2027.

The fellowship serves as a pipeline to connect talented law students with FIRE’s long‑term mission. Hellman Fellows will build a long‑term relationship with FIRE with the possibility of returning to work with us as full‑time employees, joining our Legal Network where they can take their own cases pro bono, authoring supporting amicus briefs, or serving as our local counsel.

Hellman Fellows will work at FIRE's Philadelphia or D.C. office.

Hellman Fellows work closely with FIRE’s First Amendment litigators on substantive projects that advance our strategic litigation. Fellows are trained in essential skills of public‑interest practice — including legal research and writing, client interaction, and media relations — and are expected to make meaningful contributions to active cases.

After the completion of the program, Fellows in good standing with FIRE will be inducted into FIRE's Alumni Association, a group dedicated to former FIRE interns, fellows, clerks, and full‑time staffers.

Qualifications

FIRE seeks rising 2Ls and 3Ls with excellent academic credentials and a demonstrated passion for civil liberties and public‑interest litigation. Successful applicants are collaborative, detail‑oriented, and deeply committed to the principles of free expression.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

As part of FIRE's hiring process, all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state and local law.