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Animal Legal Defense Fund Clerkships
Summer, Fall, and Spring
Each summer, fall, and spring several promising law students are given the opportunity to be trained by top experts in animal law through the Animal Legal Defense Fund Clerkship Program. We have hired our clerks for summer 2018, fall 2018, and spring 2019.
Litigation Program Clerkships
Semester and summer positions are available in the Animal Legal Defense Fund Litigation Program, where the primary focus is on civil animal law issues. Clerks will complete legal research, work with Animal Legal Defense Fund's litigation department in developing new cases, and learn how to prepare pleadings in cases currently handled by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Criminal Justice Program Clerkships
Summer positions are available with the Animal Legal Defense Fund Criminal Justice Program, where the primary focus is on criminal cases involving animal cruelty. Clerks will learn how to review cruelty reports, communicate with law enforcement officers, animal welfare investigators and prosecutors, assist in the development of proposed legislation, research a wide range of legal issues, and help draft pleadings and research memoranda. The primary focus of this clerkship is on criminal cases involving animal cruelty, but there will exposure to civil animal law issues as well.
Legislative Affairs Program Clerkship
The Legislative Affairs Program is currently accepting applications for up to two part-time clerks in the spring of 2020. Clerks will gain experience with and knowledge of animal protection issues, campaigns, and advocacy, while improving skills in research, writing, coalition-building, and lobbying. They will be responsible for assisting the Legislative Affairs Program in developing and implementing strategies to further legislative goals.
Pro Bono Program Clerkships
Semester and summer positions are available in the Animal Legal Defense Fund Pro Bono Program , where the primary focus is working to expand the practice and understanding of animal law in the legal community. Clerks will complete research on law firms, bar associations, CLEs, and various opportunities and issues in animal law.
Clerkship Terms
These are unpaid clerkships. There is a monthly stipend to assist clerks in paying for reasonable expenses, including room and board, gas, travel, and other expenses.
For part-time semester clerks, the stipend is $500 a month. Semester clerkships are part-time (8 hours a week), for a period of 3 months (approximately 12 weeks) each semester, with a flexible starting date (dependent upon the student's schedule). Clerkships are for both semesters, not one or the other. Semester clerkships are remote. Clerkships are open to second and third-year students in good standing at ABA accredited institutions.
For full-time summer clerks, the stipend is $2,400 a month. Summer clerkships are full-time (35 hours a week), for a period of 3 months (approximately 10 weeks), with a flexible starting date (dependent upon the student's schedule). Summer clerkships are open to second-year students only (rising third year students).
Litigation Program clerkships are located in Animal Legal Defense Fund's Cotati, California office, and Criminal Justice Program clerkships are located in Animal Legal Defense Fund's Portland, Oregon office.
If we are currently hiring clerks, postings can be found here.
Application Dates
For summer clerkships, the application deadline is in October. For semester clerkships, the application deadline is in April. Please reference the posting for exact application due dates.
Two summer clerkships are generously funded by Mr. David Reuben, a long-time Animal Legal Defense Fund supporter, who shares our mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Applauds Court's Ruling: California Foie Gras Ban is Constitutional
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California dismissed the industry's constitutional challenge in its entirety, and forbade the plaintiffs from trying to renew those claims.
Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Pigs from Cruel High-Speed Slaughter
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing a final rule allowing pig slaughterhouses nationwide to police themselves and kill pigs at very high line speeds.
Massachusetts: Protect Dogs and Cats Used in Research
Ask your state legislators to provide an opportunity for dogs and cats used in research to find loving homes once their time in a research laboratory has come to an end by supporting An Act Protecting Research Animals.
January 12, 2020 Action Alert
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The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is rated four-stars by Charity Navigator, is a Platinum Level GuideStar Exchange participant, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, and an Independent Charity Seal of Excellence awardee, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, and impact. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Use page. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages.
Animal Legal Defense Fund, National Headquarters
525 East Cotati Avenue, Cotati, CA 94931
(707) 795-2533 | info@aldf.org
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