Legal Fellow, Free Expression Program
About The Position
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking a recent law school graduate to join the Free Expression team as a full time Legal Fellow . This role is designed for a junior advocate with a demonstrated interest in the First Amendment and protecting free expression online for everyone. The Fellow will help the Free Expression Program defend the legal frameworks that protect online speech, such as intermediary liability protections (e.g. Section 230), and address emerging threats like state-mandated age verification, algorithmic censorship, and attempts to control the outputs of generative AI. About CDT CDT is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization fighting to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. CDT’s Free Expression Program works to ensure that the internet and other technologies support open discourse and access to information, focusing on protecting users from government censorship and promoting fair content moderation and safety practices that respect human rights. You can learn more about the work of CDT’s Free Expression Program at https://cdt.org/area-of-focus/free-expression/
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school (ideally 2024, 2025, or 2026 graduate).
- Demonstrated interest in First Amendment law or international freedom of expression standards through law school clinics, internships, or academic research.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
- Ability to communicate technical legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers.
- Commitment to CDT’s mission of protecting civil liberties in the digital space.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the legal principles of content moderation.
- Experience or interest in the intersection of free expression and other rights, such as privacy or disability rights.
- Prior experience in a policy-oriented environment (e.g., Capitol Hill, a civil society organization, or a regulatory agency).
Responsibilities
- Assist in drafting amicus briefs for high-stakes First Amendment litigation and regulatory comments for agencies such as the FTC on issues like online safety, "harmful" content definitions, kids’ safety, and platform transparency.
- Track, research, and analyze federal and state legislation to evaluate their impact on the free expression rights of adults and minors.
- Research and prepare written advice on emerging legal topics within free expression to help develop CDT’s advocacy positions and legal arguments. Topics might include legal questions related to the scope of Section 230’s liability shield, theories of liability for generative AI system outputs, the effect of particular mens rea standards of liability on constitutional analyses, as well as other emerging questions related to intermediary liability, online expression, and generative AI systems.
- Support CDT’s international work by researching how US tech policy influences global human rights standards and assisting in coordination with CDT’s colleagues at CDT Europe.
- Author blog posts and policy explainers that distill complex legal debates—like the difference between "lawful but awful" content and illegal speech—for the public and policymakers.
Benefits
- CDT provides a generous benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage for employees and dependents, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
