NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 600 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in any one of our U.S.-based offices.

NRDC is seeking two Litigation Fellows to work with the Litigation Team in one of our U.S. offices: Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; or Washington, D.C. The term for this fellowship is Fall 2026 through Fall 2028, with the possibility of extension through Fall 2029.

The fellowship is open to candidates who graduated law school in 2023 or later, as well as current law students who will graduate this academic year (2026). Applicants must be available to start no later than Fall 2026.

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

Work with teams of attorneys and paralegals on active cases and case development projects, including by providing support on cases led by senior attorneys and by leading cases or aspects of cases under the supervision of senior attorneys.
Collaborate with NRDC program staff, clients, experts, and coalition and community partners to support litigation goals.
Conduct legal research and factual investigations.
Write briefs, motions, and memoranda.
When opportunities arise, participate in court hearings; engage in discovery and conduct record and document review; and/or prepare for and take depositions.
Contribute to the Team and NRDC’s litigation capacity in other ways, e.g., by managing legal intern hiring and supervision, serving on institutional committees, organizing continuing legal education (CLE) presentations and other trainings, building relationships with other components of NRDC and allied groups, and engaging in development outreach.
The above list of duties is not comprehensive, but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.