Appellate Fellow

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Location: Lansdowne, VA

Team Overview

As an Appellate Fellow, you are vital to the Legal Advocacy Team and will advocate within a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. In a yearlong program, Fellows will work full-time, assisting seasoned practitioners on constitutional cases, largely in federal circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Their assistance may include evaluating trial-level decisions to access strategic benefits to an appeal, collaborating with legal teams from multiple disciplines, drafting appellate court documents, preparing advocates for oral arguments, and arguing motions before courts. Fellows may also contribute to public policy through legal scholarship and public advocacy. 

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the team to strategically assess, develop, and further legal advocacy that advances the objectives of ADF
• Litigate complex cases at appellate court levels, including preparing research, strategy, pleadings, briefs, and related documents; and participating in oral argument
• Serve as a resource for legislative and policy work that is aligned with ADF objectives
• Provide legal advice for individuals, businesses, and organizations
• Network and develop relationships with allied attorneys and/or potential allied attorneys
• Travel occasionally

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree.
• Appellate clerkship.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Westlaw.
• Ability to travel occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal appellate clerkship.

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