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First Amendment Fellowship

INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH

Foundation Annual
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Funding Amount

Competitive salary

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

First Amendment Fellowship

Funder: Institute for Free Speech

Overview: Allows recent law school graduates, judicial clerks, and mid-career attorneys the chance to gain practical experience litigating constitutional challenges to restrictions on Americans' First Amendment rights.

Award Amount: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

Geographic Scope: United States; Position based in Washington, D.C. office (other arrangements may be available for especially outstanding candidates)

Focus Areas:

  • First Amendment rights

  • Free speech protection

  • Freedom to publish

  • Freedom to assemble

  • Right to petition

  • Constitutional litigation

  • Campaign finance and election law

    • Eligibility:

  • Recent law school graduates

  • Judicial clerks

  • Mid-career attorneys

    • Program Details:

  • One-year fellowships, typically beginning each August or September

  • Work alongside Institute's attorneys on all aspects of trial and appellate practice

  • Cases challenging restrictions on Americans' rights to freely speak, publish, assemble, and petition

  • Excellent preparation for judicial clerkship, career change, public interest litigation career, academia, or private practice

  • Can lead to permanent position at the Institute for Free Speech

  • Full-time work expected in Washington, D.C. office

    • Benefits Package:

  • Excellent health insurance plan

  • Dental insurance

  • Vision care

  • Health savings account

  • 16 days of paid office holidays

  • Paid time off

  • Paid parental leave

  • Long-term disability insurance

  • Commuting benefits (for D.C. office workers)

  • 401(k) with low-cost funds and employer match

    • Contact Information:

  • Email: info@ifs.org

  • Address: 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036

  • Phone: 202-301-3300

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Deadline: Rolling basis for 2025-26 term and beyond (no specific deadline given)

    Required Materials: Submit one combined PDF file to info@ifs.org containing:
    1. Cover letter
    2. Resume
    3. Law school transcript
    4. Contact information for three professional and/or character references
    5. Writing sample

    Submission Format: Single PDF document sent to info@ifs.org

    Review Timeline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

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