Legal Fellow 2026-27

Common Cause

5d • $82,400 - $97,850 • Remote

About The Position

Common Cause is seeking applications from current law school students or recent graduates for sponsorship to serve as externally funded legal fellows on our Litigation team, working on matters across our four policy pillars: Voting & Fair Representation, Anti-Corruption & Accountability, Media & Technology, and Civil Rights & Civil Liberties.
This is a full-time role reporting to the Senior Director, Litigation; this role is remote anywhere within the lower 48 United States, though we have a strong preference for someone who is based in DC and can work out of our office 2-3 days per week.
This fellowship will start September 1, 2026 and will run through August 31, 2027. There may be an option to extend the fellowship for a second year.

Requirements

• A law degree, or expected law degree by the spring of 2026; preferably you have passed the bar, and have at most two years of practice by Fall 2026
• Experience with conducting research, writing, and analysis through an internship, clinical, and/or other work experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique aspects of our national political dynamic
• Demonstrated knowledge of and strong interest in current statewide/national democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, disinformation, ethics, etc.
• Ability to travel 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
• Willing to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged on posts and creating content on behalf of the organization (as needed, Common Cause will provide accounts for staff members to use)
• Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party

Nice To Haves

• Ideally, you are based in DC and can work in our office 2-3 days per week

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and policy research, analyses, and summaries
• Draft memoranda, declarations, or other legal materials
• Develop cases in collaboration with State and National teams
• Analyze federal and state legislation
• Review and/or draft briefs or other court pleadings
• Track cases
• Interview potential plaintiffs, assisting with fact gathering, and discovery
• Prepare and present materials for internal and public speaking engagements
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• A robust healthcare plan that covers 97% of employee’s medical care, 100% of employee’s vision and dental benefits, and 75% of family medical care and 100% of family vision and dental benefits
• Long-term disability and life insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off including 20 Days of Vacation and 10 observed Holidays per year, and additional days off for Thanksgiving and Winter break
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• A 401k retirement savings plan, with immediate Employer Match
• Dependent Care and Pet Care Support when you travel for work
• Funds for professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree