Litigation Fellow – Fall 2027

Institute for Justice; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Generous paid leave

Flexible work-day schedules

Remote work options up to four weeks per year

Job summary

The Institute for Justice is seeking Litigation Fellows to join its Arlington, VA headquarters or other locations in Austin, Miami, Phoenix, and Seattle. The two-year fellowship is aimed at passionate lawyers with 0-2 years of experience, offering mentorship and diverse litigation opportunities.

Fellows receive an annual salary of $120K, along with excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans. This position promises stimulating work interaction with clients and significant involvement in cases across various courts.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of litigation experience required.
• Passion for limiting government power.
• Ability to strategize on complex legal cases.

Responsibilities

• Work with IJ attorneys on federal and state litigations.
• Engage directly with clients at every stage of litigation.
• Participate in media writing, public speaking, and grassroots activism.

Skills

Excellent writing skills

Strong communication skills

Desire to create real-world impact

Judicial clerkship experience (preferred)

Job description

The Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, is the country’s leading public-interest law firm in the areas of economic liberty, free speech, private property rights and educational choice. Our attorneys work on cutting‑edge constitutional cases, fight to end government abuses in key areas such as civil forfeiture and qualified immunity, and champion individual rights.

We are currently recruiting Litigation Fellows to join us in August/September 2027. We are looking for passionate and entrepreneurial attorneys with 0‑2 years of litigation experience to join us in our headquarters office in Arlington, VA, as well as our Austin, Miami, Phoenix, and Seattle offices. This Fellowship, formerly known as our Law and Liberty Fellowship, is IJ’s preferred path for recent graduates or post‑clerkship candidates with less than two years of experience. Upon completion, Fellows are considered for permanent employment.

What’s it like to be a Litigation Fellow?

Simply put, it’s rewarding. As full members of case teams, Fellows work with IJ attorneys to bring creative, intellectually rigorous cases in federal and state courts across the country. Fellows work directly with clients and participate in every stage of litigation, so no two days are the same and new hires jump into action on day one.

Outside the courtroom, Fellows have the opportunity to do media writing and appearances, public speaking, grassroots activism and direct advocacy to policymakers and legislators. Throughout the two‑year fellowship, Fellows benefit from mentorship opportunities, expert media training, and a supportive and collegial legal work culture.

What does IJ look for when hiring Litigation Fellows?

• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• A desire to create real‑world impact and willingness to push the envelope in strategizing how to win challenging cases;
• A passion for limiting the size and scope of government power to ensure that all Americans have the right to control their own destinies as free and responsible members of society;
• Judicial clerkship experience (not required, but strongly preferred). IJ offers tiered clerkship bonuses for Litigation Fellow candidates coming directly from a clerkship at the federal district and appellate court level as well as the highest court in any state or the District of Columbia.

Can you tell me more about compensation, benefits, and general perks?

Litigation Fellows are paid an annual salary of $120K.

IJ also offers superior benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid leave, and retirement benefits. We offer flexible work‑day schedules, two days each week to work from home, and up to four weeks each year to work from anywhere in the world with WiFi.

IJ is an equal opportunity employer.