Litigation Program Fellowship, 2027-2029 in at Animal Legal Defense Fund

Term of Employment: Fall 2027-2029

Union: Bargaining Unit Position, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU)

Reports To: Senior Staff Attorney

Location: Remote (U.S. Based)

Who We Are:

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors and other stakeholders to ensure justice for animal victims of cruelty, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Role Description:

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program files strategic high-impact lawsuits against government agencies, individuals, and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, and roadside zoos, that seek to expand the protections for animals under the law.

The Litigation Fellowship is designed to afford developmental experiences in strategic impact litigation in the animal protection sphere for individuals that have recently graduated. Litigation Fellows are responsible for the day-to-day management of their assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research, filings, and other aspects of litigation. Litigation Fellows also assist the Litigation Program in developing new cases.

How You Will Make a Difference:

• Act as counsel under the supervision of a Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Managing Attorney, and be responsible for all research, filings, and other aspects of litigation, for assigned cases and projects. Potentially act as lead counsel where appropriate during second year of fellowship.
• Develop skills as a litigator, including through participating in motions practice, filings, appearances, and arguments, where appropriate.
• Research and develop novel legal theories and strategies, as well as fact patterns, for new cases.
• Manage Law Clerks as assigned.
• Manage drafting, editing, and submission of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to propose, draft, proof, and/or edit content on cases and legal developments.
• Coordinate, as needed, with other programs, including with Criminal Justice Program on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components, Legislative Affairs Program, Animal Law Program, and Pro Bono Programs.
• Manage pro bono and local counsel on cases with external counsel.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.
• Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Litigation Program cases, animal law civil cases in general, and legal strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the Litigation Program and the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission.

Please note, this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position, which are subject to change in order to best advance ALDF’s strategic objectives and mission.

We Are Looking for Candidates Who Have:

• Graduated from law school within three years of the fellowship start date (estimated Fall of 2027), or are looking to move from an unrelated legal practice into animal protection work.
• A Juris Doctorate degree when the fellowship begins and be admitted to practice law in the state where you will reside during your fellowship (or be awaiting bar results on the start date of your fellowship).
• An understanding of and commitment to the vision, mission, and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with members, supporters, co-workers, and other counsel.
• A positive attitude, can work cooperatively with others, and function well in a team-oriented work environment.
• The ability to travel as needed to fulfill litigation obligations, or for professional conferences, meetings, or other events as required.

We Offer Competitive Compensation with Excellent Benefits, Including:

• An annual salary of $71,509 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, the salary is $75,273.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, the salary is $79,036.

To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors.

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available
• 192 hours of PTO
• 19 paid holidays
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion)
• One-time remote work allowance of $750
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

How to Apply:

Applicants should combine their cover letter, résumé, 2-3 professional references, original writing sample, and transcript (unofficial is acceptable) into one PDF and submit via the Paylocity portal. The application deadline for this position is October 25, 2026.

Additional Information:

This role is included in a collective bargaining unit that is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Certain terms and conditions of your employment, including wages and benefits, have been negotiated with the Union and are included in a collective bargaining agreement between ALDF and the Union.

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.