Civil Rights Litigation Fellowship 2026-2027

Position Summary

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an externally funded Civil Rights Litigation Fellow to join the organization’s growing Legal Department. During this year-long fellowship, the Civil Rights Litigation Fellow will engage in impactful affirmative civil rights litigation and legal advocacy across a variety of areas including voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, employment, fair housing, and equal educational opportunity. The fellowship is designed to enhance the Fellow’s understanding of civil rights law and prepare them for a career promoting social justice and equal opportunity under the law. The fellowship is open to recent graduates with secured funding from a foundation, law school, corporation, or law firm.

Fellowship Funding

This is an externally funded fellowship for which the Office of the General Counsel will serve as the sponsoring organization. The applicant must secure or have the ability to secure outside funding to cover the Fellow’s salary and benefits.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

• Recent graduate with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice.

• Strong written, verbal, research, and analytical skills.

• Willingness to develop affirmative civil rights litigation, including researching potential theories, and building factual records.

• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others while meeting deadlines.

• Ability to approach the Legal Department’s work in an interdisciplinary manner and partner with other professionals across the NAACP network.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, final law school transcript, and a writing sample no longer than 7-10 pages to legal@naacpnet.org with the subject “Civil Rights Litigation Fellowship Application.” Two professional references will be required upon selection for the position. For questions regarding the fellowship or to inquire about the status of your application, please email legal@naacpnet.org. Applicants will be notified of their status by e-mail.