Animal Legal Defense Fund Summer Clerkships
Summer 2011 in Cotati, California or Portland, Oregon
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. Since 1981, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has won precedent-setting victories that have expanded legal protections for companion animals, wildlife, animals in research labs, and those in factory farming situations.
During the summer of 2011, six promising law students will be given the opportunity to learn more about animal law by participating in the ALDF Summer Clerkships. The clerkship positions are described below.
Criminal Justice Program Clerkship
Responsibilities include reviewing cruelty reports, communicating with law enforcement officers, animal welfare investigators and prosecutors, assisting in the development of proposed legislation, researching a wide range of legal issues, and drafting pleadings and research memoranda. The successful applicant must have a sincere interest in animal protection and be willing to accept a variety of assignments within the expanding field of animal law. The primary focus of this clerkship is on criminal cases involving animal cruelty, but there will exposure to civil animal law issues as well. This clerkship position is offered at the ALDF Office in Portland, Oregon.
Litigation Program Clerkship
Responsibilities include legal research, working with ALDF’s litigation department in developing new cases, and assistance in preparation of pleadings in cases currently being handled by ALDF. The successful applicant must have a sincere interest in animal protection and be willing to accept a variety of assignments within the expanding field of animal law. The primary focus of this clerkship is on civil animal law issues, but there will be exposure to criminal anti-cruelty cases as well. This clerkship position is being offered at the ALDF national headquarters in Cotati, California.
Clerkships are for a period of 10 weeks with a flexible starting date (dependent upon the student’s schedule). They are open to second-year students only. There is a $6,000 stipend for the summer.
Deadline for applications is October 15, 2010. The law clerk will be chosen by November 12, 2010. Law students interested in applying should forward an application form, cover letter, resumé (including 2-3 professional references), original writing sample, and transcript (unofficial is okay) to kwood@aldf.org. Only complete applications will be considered. In the alternative, materials can be sent to:
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Law Clerk Position
170 E. Cotati Ave.
Cotati, CA 94931
Attention – Kay Wood