Clerk Program (Summer 2024)

You: A motivated and liberty-minded 1L or 2L law student dedicated to individual freedom. You came to law school with a vision-to fight for your principles and make a difference. You want to learn about the world of public-interest law from the best.  

Them: Bureaucrats, city councils, mayors, governors, and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. There's a lot of government overreach out there, and it's backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, like all lumbering giants, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other's backs, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause-the very sort of swashbucklers we employ in spades here at PLF.  

Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation's first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 17 victories out of 19 cases litigated at the Court. We also have more than 100 active cases across the nation.  

We are a next-generation public interest law firm. What does "next-generation" mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren't interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.  

About PLF's Summer Clerk Program

PLF's Summer Clerk Program introduces you to public-interest law, immerses you in active litigation, and offers you a unique chance to study the constitutional and philosophical framework of liberty. You will benefit from hands-on training as you perform legal research and writing projects in PLF's three litigation areas: property rights, equality and opportunity, and separation of powers. This is a full-time, paid position. Important requirements to note:  

• On May 29th and 30th, we will host an Opening Summit in our DC Office. All clerks are expected to attend. Accommodations may be made for those participating in complimentary fellowships if advance notice is given.  
• The clerkship will run from May 29th - August 16th.  
• Participants are expected to work most days from our DC Office in Arlington, Virginia for the duration of the program, but are able to work remotely on occasion.  

Your specific job duties will likely include:  

• Drafting legal memoranda on research questions for active trial and appellate litigation.  
• Assisting in developing cases.  
• Taking part in a training program designed for all summer law clerks, including legal writing, oral argument, and seminars.  

This role is ideal for someone with:  

• One or two years of law school completed by the spring or summer of 2024.  
• Excellent legal research skills.  
• A demonstrated interest in the philosophical and constitutional principles of individual liberty.  

To Apply:  

If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials in one PDF.  

• Your resume, including your relevant educational and professional experience.  
• A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.  
• An optional writing sample.

General Information:  

Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation's courts and the court of public opinion.  

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff works from home offices across the country.

This is a place for someone principled, tenacious, and determined to succeed in positively shaping the future of our country and restoring real limits on government power. Join us.