Appellate Fellow

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please visit www.adflegal.org/about-us/careers to view our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives. 

 

Appellate Fellow

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly professional Appellate Fellow to join us in our Lansdowne, VA office.  As an Appellate Fellow, you are vital to the Legal Advocacy Team and will advocate within a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. In a yearlong program, Fellows will work full-time assisting seasoned practitioners on constitutional cases largely focused in federal circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Their assistance may include evaluating trial-level decisions to access strategic benefits to an appeal, collaborating with legal teams from multiple disciplines, drafting appellate court documents, preparing advocates for oral arguments, and arguing motions before a court. Fellows may also contribute to public policy through legal scholarship and public advocacy.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Collaborate with the team to strategically assess, develop, and initiate legal advocacy that advances the objectives of ADF.
• Litigate complex cases at appellate court levels, including preparing research, strategy, pleadings, briefs, and related documents; and participating in oral argument.
• Serve as a resource for legislative and policy work that is aligned with ADF objectives.
• Provide legal advice for individuals, businesses, and organizations.
• Network and develop relationships with allied attorneys and/or potential allied attorneys.
• Travel occasionally.

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

• You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned by your Team Leader.

Skills you need to succeed:

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent problem solving skills.

Ability to:

• Work, self-motivate, and collaborate within a team.
• Prioritize and achieve strict deadlines under pressure.
• Professionally handle confidential information.
• Travel as needed.

Education and/or experience:

• J.D. degree, appellate clerkship is required and federal appellate clerkship is preferred.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Westlaw software.

To complete your application, please submit a writing sample and a copy of your law school transcripts and any letters of recommendation to hr@adflegal.org or attach with your application.

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.

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Last updated on Oct 1, 2024