Separation of Powers Litigation Fellowship

You: A confident and entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for battling onerous government. You’re looking for an opportunity to work with the best liberty lawyers in the nation, immerse yourself in the nuts-and-bolts of public-interest law, and study the legal and philosophical principles of the liberty movement.  

Them: Bureaucrats and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. There’s a lot of government overreach out there, and it’s backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, like all lumbering giants, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other’s backs, and are confident in and passionate for the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers we employ in spades here at PLF. 

Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 20 cases litigated at the Court. We also have more than 100 active cases across the nation.  

We are a next-generation public interest law firm. What does “next-generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.

Here’s what you get to do in this role: 

The PLF Nondelegation Fellowship is a year-long fellowship position for recent law school graduates and attorneys interested in collaborating with PLF litigators to develop compelling nondelegation cases that challenge regulations causing problems for ordinary Americans. In this role, you will develop public interest cases from the ground up, receive abundant hands-on research and legal-writing opportunities, and hone other skills of critical importance to public interest lawyers. You will also gain expertise in regulatory issues and statutory regimes, and expand your professional network as you reach out to individuals, businesses, and organizations affected by regulation.  

You will work on teams with junior and senior attorneys, adding your skills and perspective to elevate our team’s ability to build and ultimately win important victories for liberty. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. You will be at the forefront of shaping the law for all Americans. 

In a nutshell, we’re seeking a new lawyer who’s passionate about individual liberty, and separation of powers, someone who is confident and magnanimous, and someone who is a bold and relentless freedom fighter.

Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include: 

• Researching regulatory issues and the statutory authorities that federal agencies rely on when promulgating impactful rules.
• Developing public interest cases with all that entails—including outreach to parties and organizations affected by regulation, research, drafting legal memoranda, and other case-launch materials.

This role is ideal for someone with:  

• A passion for liberty and interest in developing a career in public interest law 
• A demonstrated interest in separation of powers, and regulatory issues generally 
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills 
• A knowledge of and passion for the ideas of freedom and individual liberty 
• Excellent legal research and writing skills

General Information 

Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion. 

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, CA; Arlington, VA; and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country.  

This is a one-year, full-time position. PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide, and we offer a competitive compensation package. We have a flexible, collaborative, positive, and collegial work environment. We take pride in investing in your future and encourage internal advancement.  

PLF is the place for someone principled, tenacious, and determined to positively shape the future of our country and restore real limits on government power. Join us.  

To Apply: 

If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials at the link provided. 

• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience. 
• A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants. 
• A legal writing sample.