NRDC is seeking a recent graduate of Howard University School of Law to work with the Environment, Equity & Justice Center, as an Environmental Justice Legal Fellow: this entails a two-year legal fellowship starting in Fall 2026 and ending in Fall 2028, with the possibility of extension for a third year through Fall 2029. We will consider applicants who have graduated since 2023, including those who will graduate in Spring 2026. We will consider requests to be based out of any NRDC’s U.S. offices. This posting will be open until November 1. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to apply soon.
Position Summary
In collaboration with members of the EEJC, the NRDC-Howard Environmental Justice Legal Fellow will use a range of legal, policy advocacy, coalition-building, community outreach, and/or communications tools to collaborate with and provide legal support for environmental justice communities across the United States. Examples of specific focus areas could include, but are not limited to, (1) advancing political and litigation strategies to improve air quality and public health outcomes for communities impacted by nearby industrial facilities; (2) engaging in legal and policy advocacy to protect communities from proposals that would increase local pollution and perpetuate reliance on fossil fuels; (3) advancing local land use and zoning policies that combat the concentration of environmental burdens in EJ communities; and/or (4) leveraging legal support, funding and other resources to help communities identify and combat toxic chemical (including pesticide) contamination.
This is a Limited term 2-year fellowship.