Summer Ridge Hall Clerkship Environmental Advocacy

Summer 2026 Ridge Hall Clerkship for Environmental Advocacy

Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) is currently accepting applications for our 2026 summer law clerk program - the Ridge Hall Clerkship for Environmental Advocacy. Over the course of the summer, current law students will use state and federal laws to protect and restore local water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This is a 10-week clerkship opportunity, with a paid stipend of $5,000 offered for living expenses.

Named in honor of CLA co-founder Ridgway “Ridge” Hall
, this educational clerkship program trains future environmental lawyers to use state and federal laws to protect and restore water quality throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

CLA Summer Law Clerks are given significant responsibility in various tasks including: conducting legal research and writing, providing litigation support, assisting CLA staff in evaluating requests for legal assistance, participating in community events and stakeholder meetings, developing content for our website and newsletter, and thinking creatively and strategically about how to use the legal system to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its communities.

Law Clerks will participate in staff, partner, and stakeholder meetings, webinars, hearings, and phone calls, along with research and writing projects. Throughout the summer, CLA staff take Summer Law Clerks on regular field trips to learn about the watershed, meet partner organizations, and understand water quality best management practices firsthand.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance is located in Annapolis, Maryland. Summer Law Clerks are expected to spend approximately 35-40 hours per week working on CLA projects for approximately 10 weeks. We ask students to join us in our Annapolis office 1 days per week if possible, working remotely the remaining time.

Candidates must be rising 2L or 3L law students with excellent writing and research skills. Experience and/or a demonstrated interest in environmental and administrative law, with a focus on water quality issues, is highly desirable.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Jacqueline Goodrum at interns . Positions for the Summer 2026 Ridge Hall Clerkship program are filled on a rolling basis. To learn more about CLA or our current opportunities, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

The health of the Chesapeake Bay has a huge impact on residents’ quality of life, physical health, food supply and economy. Efforts to clean up the Bay began over 40 years ago. However, the largest estuary in the United States continues to suffer death-by-a-thousand-cuts from all directions: polluted stormwater from streets and farms, climate change, deforestation and wetland destruction. Legal action is a key tool in turning the tide.

CLA provides Bay advocates with FREE legal help in many forms: education, pro bono counsel, strategic legal counseling, and policy support. We apply the power of the law in order to achieve healthy communities, resilient ecosystems, and clean water across the Chesapeake Bay region. CLA is the only legal services organization solely dedicated to serving the Chesapeake region.

Over the past 6 years, CLA has secured a sizable multi-year grant, undergone a merger, increased our staff and budget by 50%, and significantly expanded our services. With our increased capacity and our dynamic committed team, we have achieved exponential results in a short time! Therefore, we are seeking a team member who will be integral to making our operations and programs run smoothly and efficiently, and bring impactful initiatives to improve the watershed.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace for those of all ages and backgrounds. We recruit, employ, compensate, and promote regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We believe diversity creates an awareness of, and respect for differences, and ultimately translates into increased understanding that makes us better.

We further encourage members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply to join our team.