Externally Funded Fellowship 2026 – 2027 – Voting Rights Project
Washington, DC, DC
Temporary
Voting Rights
Entry Level
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
Job Title: Fellow
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Term
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable to: Director, Voting Rights Project
About the Role:
Since 1963, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has been at the forefront of the legal struggle to protect and defend the right to vote, and to ensure that the right is afforded equally to all. Through coordinated and integrated programs of litigation, voter protection, advocacy and education, the Voting Rights Project has had a tremendous positive impact on communities of color, low-income communities, youth, people with disabilities and other traditionally disenfranchised populations.
Using Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the 14th and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution, we litigate cases on behalf of voters who are traditionally disenfranchised or face the fiercest voter suppression tactics.
Our fellows become involved with substantive legal activities, which involve co-counseled litigation with prominent law firms, including client contact, case investigation, discovery, negotiations, amicus briefs, appeals, and trial practice. Non-litigation activities include legal services to community development groups, legislative and public policy advocacy, and public education on important civil rights matters.
The Lawyers' Committee is willing to consider proposals that align with our equities but may not be expressly identified in a specific posting.
Fellowship Overview:
We welcome proposals aimed at threats to the integrity of the election process, and the opportunities to lawfully vote. A successful proposal will support initiatives that speak to enhancing legal strategy and speak to additional structures or approaches to enhance voting rights at the state or federal level.
What You'll be Doing:
To the extent the fellow develops any strategy that can be fully or partially implemented during the term of the fellowship, they may participate in putting it into effect.
Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
Proposal Requirements:
Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:
Salary and Benefits:
The Fellow will be paid by applying for outside fellowship funding. Fellowships will only commence if outside funding is granted. If fellowship funding is lower than The Lawyers’ Committee salary scale, The Lawyers’ Committee will pay the fellows an additional amount to bring them up to the appropriate salary. The salary for an attorney receiving their JD in 2026 is $76,000.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!
Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
The expected range for this role will be: $76,000 - $79,750
Job Title: Fellow
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Term
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable to: Director, Voting Rights Project
About the Role:
Since 1963, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has been at the forefront of the legal struggle to protect and defend the right to vote, and to ensure that the right is afforded equally to all. Through coordinated and integrated programs of litigation, voter protection, advocacy and education, the Voting Rights Project has had a tremendous positive impact on communities of color, low-income communities, youth, people with disabilities and other traditionally disenfranchised populations.
Using Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the 14th and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution, we litigate cases on behalf of voters who are traditionally disenfranchised or face the fiercest voter suppression tactics.
Our fellows become involved with substantive legal activities, which involve co-counseled litigation with prominent law firms, including client contact, case investigation, discovery, negotiations, amicus briefs, appeals, and trial practice. Non-litigation activities include legal services to community development groups, legislative and public policy advocacy, and public education on important civil rights matters.
The Lawyers' Committee is willing to consider proposals that align with our equities but may not be expressly identified in a specific posting.
Fellowship Overview:
We welcome proposals aimed at threats to the integrity of the election process, and the opportunities to lawfully vote. A successful proposal will support initiatives that speak to enhancing legal strategy and speak to additional structures or approaches to enhance voting rights at the state or federal level.
What You'll be Doing:
- Identify, categorize, and rank threats to the 2026 elections, including threats to the integrity and effectiveness of elections and election processes, and impingements on opportunities to lawfully vote.
- Identify threats that government agencies originate, implement, or encourage voter suppression.
- Develop recommendations for countering the threats through litigation, publicity, community organizing, state or federal advocacy, election hotlines, onsite monitoring, mobilization, or any other workable approaches.
- Assess the capacity of existing structures for election protection to respond to nationally coordinated threats and would recommend any additional structures or approaches to enhance that capacity at the local and national level.
- Develop a state-by-state program in key jurisdictions to respond to the most imminent governmental threats to the electoral system.
To the extent the fellow develops any strategy that can be fully or partially implemented during the term of the fellowship, they may participate in putting it into effect.
Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
- JD or anticipated JD by May 2026
- A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and racial justice.
- Creative approach to civil rights work and ability to take initiative during the project development and implementation stage.
- Prior experience working with or ties to low-income communities of color.
- Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills as demonstrated through writing samples, internship and clinical experience, and academic records.
- Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with all Lawyers' Committee staff and to develop and maintain positive relationships with diverse clients and community organizations.
- Effective written and oral communication skills in both legal and non-legal settings.
Proposal Requirements:
Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:
- Project Description: An outline of the proposed project, including objectives, timeline, target populations, and expected outcomes.
- Resume
- Personal Statement: A statement of relevant experience and qualifications for theproject.
- References: Contact information for at least two professional or academic references.
Salary and Benefits:
The Fellow will be paid by applying for outside fellowship funding. Fellowships will only commence if outside funding is granted. If fellowship funding is lower than The Lawyers’ Committee salary scale, The Lawyers’ Committee will pay the fellows an additional amount to bring them up to the appropriate salary. The salary for an attorney receiving their JD in 2026 is $76,000.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!
Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
The expected range for this role will be: $76,000 - $79,750
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