Litigation Fellow (Fall 2027)

Center for Reproductive Rights • New York City, NY

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization dedicated to ensuring reproductive rights are protected as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, Washington D.C., Nairobi, Kenya, Bogota, Colombia, and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization actively changing law and policy across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our team of over 270 diverse professionals is committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through impactful litigation, legal policy, and advocacy. This dedication has fueled the Center's significant growth, reaching an operating budget exceeding $60 million and earning the respect of law firms globally. Our extensive pro bono network comprises over 3,000 lawyers across 6 continents, 88 countries, and more than 140 law firms, contributing over $35 million USD in pro bono legal services last year. The Center's Strategic Plan outlines an ambitious goal: by 2030, half the world's population will benefit from stronger reproductive rights protections compared to 2020. Since its founding in 1992, the Center has been instrumental in transforming the understanding and application of reproductive rights by courts, governments, and international human rights bodies on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have achieved landmark victories in national courts, UN Committees, and regional human rights bodies, and have led the development of significant legislation promoting robust reproductive rights protections. Furthermore, the Center has enhanced the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in over 65 countries and continues to expand its reach.

Requirements

• J.D. degree required.
• Excellent research and writing skills and ability to analyze complex legal issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including ability to self-motivate, juggle multiple cases/projects and deadlines simultaneously, and provide quick turnaround of assignments while collaborating as part of a team and maintaining a positive attitude.
• Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values, along with experience or knowledge of reproductive rights legal issues, reproductive justice, racial justice, or other human rights, civil rights, criminal law, or social justice issues.
• Displays a problem-solving and supportive attitude with colleagues and works to support the goals of the Litigation Unit, U.S. Program Division, and the Center.
• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive equity work and incorporating inclusive equitable principles into legal, programmatic, and partnership work.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the Center as well as with external partners, including clients, coalition members, and pro bono counsel.
• Ability to travel as needed for court appearances and other work, including to locations outside the New York and DC areas.
• Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

Nice To Haves

• One to three years of post-law school experience is strongly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in all aspects of trial and appellate litigation work, including drafting portions of briefs, motions, and discovery requests and responses.
• Conduct factual and legal research and prepare legal memoranda and litigation analyses to assess whether and how the Center will bring litigation.
• Assist in providing compliance advice to the Center’s clients regarding complex legal and regulatory issues and risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist in monitoring and analyzing intakes.
• Bluebook and cite-check pleadings and legal briefs.
• Represent the Center at public events, conferences, and coalition meetings, as needed.
• Collaborate across the U.S. Division to advance shared priorities and alignment of our legal strategies with our policy, advocacy, and external engagement goals.
• Supervise the work of legal interns.
• Assist with other tasks, as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility.
• Dental and Vision coverage.
• Resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being.
• Generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave.
• The Center is closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.
• After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5% of your annual salary to a 401(k) (applicable only in US and Kenya).

What This Job Offers

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