Animal Legal Defense Fund Pro Bono Program Summer Clerkships

Who We Are: The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, advocating for strong enforcement of regulations that protect animals and appropriate regulation of industries that impact them, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Position Term: 35 hours/week for 10 weeks in summer 2027, with a start date at the beginning of June.

Reports to: Managing Attorney

Location: Remote position

The Pro Bono Program works to expand the practice and understanding of animal law in the legal community. Students will complete research on law firms, bar associations, CLEs, and various opportunities and issues in animal law, such as:

• Landlord, tenant, and other housing related issues
• Dangerous dog designations and breed-specific restrictions
• Tort law matters and issues of negligence
• Issues related to animals being considered property under the law

Specific responsibilities vary by program and will be further discussed during interviews. All clerks and externs will participate in scheduled networking and engagement activities. Externs may have additional requirements depending on their school’s externship program.

• $20/ hour
• Paid holidays

This is a U.S. based position. Clerks will be required to provide a personal United States address and to work primarily from that address.

• Experience as a current 2L (or part-time program equivalent) or LLM student at an ABA accredited law school.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• A sincere interest in animal protection.
• Superior legal research and writing skills, including the ability to tailor voice and style to various audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others and function well in a mission-driven, team-oriented work environment.
• A willingness to accept a variety of assignments within the expanding field of animal law.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• An ability to work independently and remotely.
• An ability to use discretion, keeping in mind the confidential and emotional aspects of our work.
• Access to a computer with internet and Microsoft Suite.
• Familiarity with animal law is preferred.

We strongly encourage persons from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in…