Attorney Fellowship Sponsorship Fall 2027

Community Legal Services, Inc. • Philadelphia, PA

3d

About The Position

Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) seeks to sponsor driven and passionate Attorney Fellows who are committed to our client-centered work and mission to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives through cutting-edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation. For over 50 years, CLS has been committed to working for justice by serving the legal needs of low-income Philadelphia residents in critical cases that affect their families, their jobs, their homes, and their incomes. We make a difference in the lives of poor and at-risk Philadelphians through high impact policy advocacy, individual representation, strategic use of media and community education. Many of our lawyers are nationally recognized experts in their fields. CLS’s combination of direct client services coupled with broad based impact work is a nationally renowned model. By identifying trends, we develop policy strategies, engage in systemic advocacy, and work to effectuate sustainable change to the client communities we serve.

Fellows will be placed in one of our 8 practice areas: Employment (including wage theft and criminal records expungement), Energy, Family Advocacy, Health and Independence, Home Ownership and Consumer Rights, Housing, Medical-Legal Partnership, and SSI Disability. Fellowship projects will vary depending on time constraints given the duration of the fellowship and the interests and experience of the candidate. CLS typically seeks to sponsor attorney fellows for the Skadden Foundation and the Independence Foundation. However, CLS may also sponsor Attorney Fellows for other fellowships such as Equal Justice Works or law school-based fellowships depending on the needs of the program and the qualifications of the candidate.

Requirements

• Demonstrated passion for, interest in, and commitment to public interest and poverty law, racial justice, and serving low-income communities and clients.
• Demonstrated ability to providing the highest quality legal services to individual clients.
• Excellent legal analysis and research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• An interest in policy and advocacy work.
• Strong networking, relationship building and communications skills.
• Demonstrated sound professional and legal judgment.
• Rising 3Ls, recent graduates or judicial clerks for Attorney Fellowship sponsorships whose projects will commence in the Fall of 2027.
• A J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Willingness to sit for the Pennsylvania State Bar.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates are highly encouraged to submit their application by Friday, June 12, 2026, for consideration for first round interviews.
• Applicants interested in being considered for only school-based fellowships are strongly encouraged to apply to CLS at least 3 weeks before the school-based fellowship application deadline.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application by the earlier June 12th date where possible, so that the CLS attorney hiring committee can conduct interviews during the summer hiring process.

Responsibilities

• Placement in one of 8 practice areas: Employment (including wage theft and criminal records expungement), Energy, Family Advocacy, Health and Independence, Home Ownership and Consumer Rights, Housing, Medical-Legal Partnership, and SSI Disability.
• Fellowship projects will vary depending on time constraints given the duration of the fellowship and the interests and experience of the candidate.
• CLS typically seeks to sponsor attorney fellows for the Skadden Foundation and the Independence Foundation.
• CLS may also sponsor Attorney Fellows for other fellowships such as Equal Justice Works or law school-based fellowships depending on the needs of the program and the qualifications of the candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level