McCleary Law Fellows Program | As the nation’s largest civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus community members who use different language to describe identity, the Human Rights Campaign is dedicated to ending discrimination, securing equal rights and protecting the health and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the world. With a 200-person national staff and more than 3 million members and supporters throughout the country, HRC lobbies the federal, state and municipal governments on LGBTQ+ legislative and regulatory matters, advocates before the courts, participates in judicial and executive branch nominations process, leads and/or actively works on national civil rights coalitions, educates the public, participates in elections and works at the grassroots level on civil rights and political matters of national, state and municipal importance.

HRC Legal Department | Comprised of five attorneys, a program manager, a legal assistant and up to three Law Fellows, in partnership with outside expert attorneys, the HRC Legal Department represents the organization on cutting-edge issues before all three branches of federal, state and municipal government, our membership and the media. The Department specializes in legislative lawyering at the federal, state and municipal level and provides critical assistance to LGBTQ+ groups and allied legislators in pursuing positive legislative developments and defeating legislative attempts to deny equality to the LGBTQ+ community.

Description of Law Fellow Duties | HRC appoints up to three full-time or part-time Law Fellows for the spring and fall semesters and up to three full-time summer Law Fellows. Law Fellows work with HRC attorneys, outside counsel from major national law firms, lobbyists, and organizational allies and congressional and administration staff members on legislative and regulatory matters. Practice areas include constitutional, education, employment, disability, family, benefits, tax, health care, immigration, military, and municipal law. Fellows undertake projects involving sophisticated legal research and writing, analysis and drafting of legislation and administrative regulations, legislative and regulatory advocacy and coalition work.

Qualifications | Applicants should possess a strong academic record at an accredited American law school, excellent interpersonal, legal research and writing skills and an interest in civil rights law and policy. 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls candidates are eligible.

How to Apply | Interested candidates can apply by completing our online application. Please have readily available a resume, cover letter, transcript and writing sample.

Time Commitment and Stipends | Fall and Spring Law Fellowships are full or part-time for the span of the semester. Summer Law Fellowships are available as full-time positions for a 10-week term. HRC will cooperate in Law Fellow’s application for additional remuneration, including public interest grants and academic credit. Stipends are available for full-time Law Fellows in the Summer.

Application Deadlines | We recommend applying as early as possible. Spring, Summer, and Fall applications are all collected on a rolling basis. Please fill out the above online application to be considered for the McCleary Law Fellows Program. You will be contacted for next steps if selected to move forward.

• *These deadlines do not apply to students interviewing with HRC in a career fair or participating in a resume collect.