Fall 2026 Litigation Law Clerkships

National Center for Youth Law

NCYL is a national nonprofit that puts children and youth— especially those pushed to society’s margins — at the center of every fight for justice. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with young people, families, and communities in efforts to dismantle racism, discrimination, and inequity wherever they appear. We recognize that harmful policies don’t affect children and youth in isolation. Each young person’s well-being depends on their family’s stability, their community’s resources, and the opportunities they can access. By working across all systems that shape young people’s lives in a rapidly evolving society, we advance solutions that are holistic, intersectional, and transformative.

Position

NCYL seeks 1-2 law students to support and learn from its litigation team during the fall of 2026. Under the mentorship of supervising legal staff, litigation clerks will support NCYL’s active litigation to advance the rights of children and youth across one or more public systems where injustices exist.

These are volunteer positions and will be remote. NCYL is willing to work with law schools to facilitate course credit.

Essential Functions

• Support NCYL’s active litigation, investigations, and settlement implementation
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda
• Review and analyze documents received through discovery, from public records requests, from existing or potential clients and community members, etc.
• Contribute to case development by speaking with existing or potential plaintiffs, co-counsel, and/or community partners
• Research and stay up to date on emerging legal issues impacting children and youth
• Participate in community partnership work
• Other support of ongoing impact litigation efforts as needed

Qualifications

• Second- (2L) or third- (3L) year law student as of fall 2026
• Ability to commit 15 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks between September and November 2026
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Knowledge, understanding of, and commitment to NCYL’s mission
• Experience and/or interest in NCYL’s areas of focus
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and complete multiple projects
• Excellent communication skills

How To Apply

Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled or until July 17, 2026. Priority will be given to applications received by July 3.

Applicants must submit the following:

• Resume (not including GPA)
• Cover letter describing your particular interest in working for NCYL (including any specific issue areas of interest) and understanding of NCYL’s mission
• Writing sample (5-7 pages) that demonstrates analytical skills
• Two (2) professional or academic references

We welcome applications from individuals with different ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Applicants who meet the above criteria with lived experiences within any of our practice areas are strongly encouraged to apply.