Public Policy Legal Fellow

Department: Public Policy

Position: Public Policy Legal Fellowship

Reporting to: Senior Legislative Policy Counsel

To Apply:

Please attach all of the following required materials. 

•  Resume
•  Cover Letter
•  Two Writing Samples (each must be no longer than 10 pages)

If you are applying through Indeed: Please complete the application there first and upload the document(s) you are able per the site. For any additional documents you need to include for your application to be considered, please reach out to talent@rainn.org and we will upload your documents to your submitted application on our end. 

Public Policy Legal Fellowship Overview:

The Public Policy Legal Fellow provides essential legal research and fact gathering concerning a wide range of sexual violence issues. The Public Policy Legal Fellow will also be expected to draft materials as needed, including memoranda and one-page summaries, and may be asked to review and analyze legislation, regulations, and other policy documents. The fields of law to which the Public Policy Legal Fellow will be most exposed include, but are not limited to, the following: constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure, appellate law, family law, and state and federal policy.

This posting is for the following Term: 

Fall: August - December. The term is 12 weeks, with start and end dates flexible to accommodate school or bar exam schedules.

• Application reviews will begin 30 days after the Fellowship is posted, and will continue until the position is filled.

Fellowship Learning Objectives & Responsibilities

• Develop legal research skills by assisting with research projects focused on state sexual violence laws and related public policy issues.
• Gain exposure to legal and policy analysis by gathering and summarizing relevant statutes, case law, regulations, and other resources related to sexual assault issues.
• Learn about the policy development process by contributing background research and supporting the preparation of memoranda, policy statements, briefing materials, and correspondence under staff guidance.
• Build professional administrative and organizational skills through participation in data entry, document management, and departmental support activities.
• Learn how policy resources are maintained and shared by assisting with the organization, updating, and enhancement of databases and other resource dissemination tools.
• Gain insight into public interest legal work and nonprofit partnerships by observing and supporting communications and projects involving RAINN's pro bono law firm partners, as appropriate.
• Participate in team meetings, training opportunities, and mentorship activities designed to deepen understanding of legal advocacy, public policy, and nonprofit operations.
• Engage in additional learning opportunities and special projects that support the fellow's educational experience and professional development.

Qualifications

To be successful in this fellowship, individuals should demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined below. The qualifications listed are representative of the learning objectives and competencies associated with this opportunity:

• Current law student in or recent graduate from (required qualification) a Juris Doctor program. A “recent graduate” means the fellowship will be complete within 2 years from the date of graduation from law school.
• Strong writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong interest in policy work.
• Demonstrated interest in the issue of sexual violence.
• Comfortable with legal research tools, including LexisNexis and Westlaw.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs (especially Excel and Word) and Google Workspace (especially Google Docs and Google Sheets).
• Ability to use remote meeting platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meet, and WebEx.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and a team player attitude.

Eligibility & Expectations

• Available to dedicate 20 hours a week to the Fellowship’s work.
• Applicant has passed the bar examination, or intends to take the exam within a year.
• Can demonstrate a substantial commitment to or preparation for pursuing a career in public interest law or government service.
• Will endeavor to obtain employment in the public interest or government sector before or immediately following the Fellowship's conclusion.

Other Information

The candidate selected for the Public Policy Legal Fellowship will not be granted a nominal fee stipend as this is an unpaid opportunity.

The candidate selected must complete and pass a criminal background check administered by RAINN.

To Apply:

Please attach the following materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two Writing Samples (each must be no longer than 10 pages)

Only complete applications will be considered. Please, no phone calls.

RAINN Office Status

RAINN’s headquarters are based in Washington, DC. This fellowship may be based regionally for someone whose residence is within the continental USA. This is a remote fellowship role.

Remote Requirements

RAINN fellows are required to have a home office setup with a dependable high-speed internet connection. This must be sufficient to support all fellowship-related tasks, including accessing systems, and communicating with teams.

When you join RAINN as a Fellow, you're joining a team of experts and professionals who stand up for survivors of sexual violence every day. RAINN

will not discriminate against any fellowship candidate or applicant because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, individual identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. RAINN encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

EOE/M/F/D/V

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this fellowship. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the essential functions, responsibilities and/or requirements.