Supreme Court Program Fellow

The University of North Carolina School of Law is proud to announce a prestigious fellowship opportunity with its nationally recognized Supreme Court Program, beginning in Fall 2026. This program is one of only a handful of opportunities at American law schools for law students to be directly involved in litigation before the United States Supreme Court.

Since its inception, the UNC Supreme Court Program has cultivated a reputation for excellence in appellate advocacy. Students engage deeply in the mechanics of Supreme Court litigation, including identifying cert-worthy cases, drafting petitions for certiorari, oppositions to certiorari, amicus briefs, and merits briefs. The Program consistently files more than ten briefs per Term, and since 2019, has submitted over 30 briefs to the Court, including a successful merits brief in McElrath v.

Georgia, 601 U.S. 87 (2024). McElrath was argued by Program Co-Director Richard Simpson, resulting in a 9-0 victory.

The Fellow will serve as counsel in active Supreme Court litigation and will co-teach the Supreme Court Program course, providing mentorship and supervision to students engaged in real-world appellate practice. The fellowship includes significant litigation responsibilities including drafting and revising court filings, client recruitment, and strategic case development. In performing these tasks, the Fellow will work with Richard Simpson and may serve as counsel of record in one or more cases, contingent on Supreme Court Bar membership.

This is a two-year fellowship, with an initial appointment for one year, and a strong expectation of renewal. The fellowship is designed to support both academic career preparation and professional development. Fellows interested in pursuing a career in legal academia will receive structured mentorship, dedicated time for research and writing, and support in preparing for the academic job market. Those focused on appellate litigation will gain unparalleled experience in Supreme Court practice, positioning them for elite roles in government, private practice, or public interest.