WPLC Summer Law Fellowships

WPLC Summer Law Fellowships

Organization: Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC)

Program Type: Summer law clerk fellowships for law students

Location: Remote (fully remote setting)

Geographic Scope: Clerks may be based anywhere with access to stable internet connection

Target Applicants

• Current second-year law students
• Exceptional first-year law students with strong research and writing skills and demonstrated commitment to social justice, Indigenous rights, or environmental law

Program Details

Time Commitment: Law clerks will contribute 400 hours of legal research, writing, and advocacy support during the summer, completing hours between end of spring term and beginning of fall term.

Availability Requirement: Must be available for meetings and assignments during standard working hours in their time zone. Self-direction, time management, and reliability are essential.

Focus Areas

Law clerks will work on topics including:

Federal Indian Law

International Indigenous rights and human rights mechanisms

Environmental and climate justice law

Water law and rights of nature

Corporate accountability and anti-SLAPP defense

Movement legal support and protest defense

Responsibilities

Law clerks may assist with:

Drafting legal memos, briefs, and public records/FOIA requests

Research and writing for domestic and international advocacy

Monitoring and supporting frontline actions and community legal trainings

Contributing to movement-oriented resources and legal education tools

Supporting international submissions (e.g., UPR, Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures) and environmental litigation strategies

Mentorship & Experience

Clerks will receive:

Mentorship from WPLC attorneys and legal staff

Opportunities for direct engagement with frontline movements

Experience in culturally grounded and trauma-informed lawyering

Space for student growth while demanding professionalism, initiative, and excellence

Stipend & Funding

WPLC Stipend: $1,500 for up to six Summer law clerks

Additional Funding: WPLC strongly encourages applicants to seek additional funding through:

Their law schools

National Lawyers Guild

Equal Justice America

Other public interest funding sources

WPLC will support efforts to secure funding or academic credit as needed.