2026 Legal Fellow – Call for Fellowship Proposals

National Center for Youth Law 

NCYL is a national nonprofit that puts children — especially those pushed to society’s margins — at the center of every fight for justice. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with young people, families, and communities in efforts to dismantle racism, discrimination, and inequity wherever they appear. We recognize that harmful policies don’t affect children in isolation. Each young person’s well-being depends on their family’s stability, their community’s resources, and the opportunities they can access. By working across all systems that shape young people’s lives in a rapidly evolving society, we advance solutions that are holistic, intersectional, and transformative. 

NCYL seeks to sponsor applicants for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, and/or other fellowships.  This is an exciting opportunity for those interested in working in one or more of the following areas: (i) Education, (ii) Juvenile Justice, (iii) Child Welfare, and (iv) Legal Advocacy.  Our campaigns weave together multiple strategies, including: 

• Impact litigation  

• Legislative and policy development and advocacy  

• Partnerships with public agencies  

• Coalition building  

• Building the capacity of community-based organizations  

Candidates should have a specific fellowship project in mind, although they do not need to have all of the details worked out. We will work with the fellowship candidate to develop appropriate project proposals. 

Essential Functions 

• In collaboration with NCYL staff, develop a proposal for a project that advances justice for children and youth who have been marginalized.  

• Apply to the public interest fellowships for which NCYL agrees to sponsorship.  

• Once a fellowship is awarded, join NCYL as a fellow in September 2026.  

• Implement the fellowship project under the supervision of NCYL staff.  

• Attend organizational and team meetings and retreats.  

• Respond to requests for assistance from the public and Qualified Legal Services Projects.  

Qualifications 

• Graduating from law school in Spring 2026 or have served as a law clerk since graduating from law school in a prior year.   

• Interest in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus.   

• Commitment to advancing justice by protecting the rights of children and youth and improving the systems that impact their lives.   

• Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.   

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.   

Physical Requirements 

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position requires the ability to work remotely and requires some travel. 

Salary, Benefits and Location 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary of $78,221.00 annually. A geographic salary differential may be applied if the candidate resides somewhere other than the Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, New York City, Washington, DC or equivalent metro areas. This means that the salary would be reduced if the candidate resides in an area where the cost of labor is less than that of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

NCYL provides robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan and short-term and long-term disability insurance. 

NCYL is registered to do business in the following 15 locations: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, or Wisconsin. If a candidate is hired but lives in a state where NCYL is not currently registered to do business, their start date may need to be delayed until registration can be completed in the new state. This process may take as much as three months to complete. 

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and law school transcript at the link below. (You will need to click on “Upload Additional Files” to submit the writing sample and transcript.) 

Please, no emails or calls. 

Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3467011 

Applicants who meet the above criteria with lived experience in any of our practice areas are strongly encouraged to apply. 

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, reproductive health decision-making, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.