Opportunities for Law Students
S.T.O.P. LITIGATION FELLOWSHIP (EXTERNALLY FUNDED)
S.T.O.P. seeks a Legal Fellow to join our litigation team beginning in Fall 2027. This is an externally funded position: the Fellow secures funding through a postgraduate fellowship (such as Equal Justice Works, the Skadden Fellowship, Justice Catalyst, or a law-school-sponsored fellowship), and S.T.O.P. serves as the host organization, working closely with each candidate to design a competitive application. We accommodate one- to two-year fellowships, depending on the funding available.
The fellowship is designed for recent law school graduates, outgoing judicial law clerks, and LL.M. candidates who want to build a career in public-interest law. We welcome both project-based and general fellowship funding. A Fellow funded for a specific project will develop and drive that project while also contributing to S.T.O.P.’s broader docket of ongoing matters and initiatives; a Fellow supported by general funding will work across the full range of our active litigation and legislative advocacy. In either case, the Fellow takes on substantial responsibility and genuine ownership of their work.
Fellows function as integral members of our legal team and are trusted with substantive work. We look for candidates who can take on a matter and move it forward with good judgment and initiative. Fellows also help supervise our law school and undergraduate interns, an early opportunity to build leadership and mentorship experience.
Responsibilities
The Fellow’s responsibilities will vary with the funded project and S.T.O.P.’s active docket, and may include:
• Participating in litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including conducting legal and factual research, interviewing clients, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assisting in discovery and motion practice
• Submitting and litigating public records requests and related transparency actions to expose discriminatory surveillance
• Assisting in drafting amicus curiae briefs
• Interviewing clients and corresponding with co-counsel, opposing counsel, and court personnel as needed
• Supporting S.T.O.P.’s legislative, policy, and regulatory advocacy, and advancing our goals through public education and coalition-building
• Supervising and mentoring law school and undergraduate interns
• Designing and leading at least one significant litigation or research project (for project-based fellows)
• Attending and, at times, leading team meetings, and adhering to all internal and court deadlines
• Administrative duties as they relate to the practice of law
Minimum Qualifications
• J.D. or LL.M., or the expectation of receiving one by spring 2027
• Recent law school graduates and outgoing judicial clerks are welcome, consistent with funder eligibility
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, privacy, and the mission of S.T.O.P.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to see a project through with minimal supervision
• Comfort with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lexis, and other productivity tools
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with one or more of the following: federal litigation; public records litigation; First Amendment litigation; Fourth Amendment litigation; immigration law; cyber law; Section 1983 litigation; class action litigation; and/or national security law
• Coursework in constitutional law, administrative law, and/or federal courts
• Judicial clerkship experience (preferred but not required)
• Subject-matter expertise in surveillance, privacy, or emerging-technology issues
Compensation and Funding
This is an externally funded fellowship, and candidates must secure their own external funding. Compensation is set by the Fellow’s funding source; S.T.O.P. will work with selected candidates to identify appropriate funders and, where a funder permits, to structure a competitive salary. S.T.O.P. will provide a full benefits package. We accommodate one- to two-year terms depending on funding availability.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter (no more than one page), résumé, law school transcript, and a writing sample (preferably, a litigation brief or research memorandum, not to exceed 10 pages), combined as a single PDF (named LastName FirstName - School - Legal Fellow - Term, for example Doe Jane - NYU - Legal Fellowship - Fall 2027), to jobs@stopspying.org with the subject line “Legal Fellow.”
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by August 1, 2026, to allow time to prepare submissions for the earliest funder deadlines.
Equal Opportunity
S.T.O.P. is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture, and we strongly encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups.
Legal Services Intern/Extern
*Currently accepting Applications for Spring 2027
Legal Services Interns carry out a broad mix of direct legal services, impact litigation, research, and government affairs engagement. Our work includes a unique mix of criminal, civil, and administrative matters, ranging from challenges to discriminatory NYPD policies, to civil follow-on litigation for victims of hate crimes, and representation in national security investigations.
Qualifications:
Open to law students and recent law school graduates (interested undergraduates should apply for our Civil Rights internship).
Demonstrated interest in privacy rights, technology, civil rights, or preferably the intersection thereof.
Stellar research and writing skills.
Comfort with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and other productivity tools.
All law students are welcome to apply; preference is given to 2Ls and 3Ls.
Fall and Spring Semester Legal Services internships carry a minimum commitment of 10 hrs./week (full-time school year placements are always available). Summer Legal Services internships are full-time (30-40 hrs./week), and run for 10 weeks with options to extend on a case-by-case basis.
To apply please provide a cover letter, CV, recent transcript and writing sample (combined as a single PDF) either through Handshake or by email to jobs [at] stopspying.org with the subject: “Legal Services Intern”.
S.T.O.P. is based out of New York City, and while our internships can function 100% remotely, staff and interns in NYC can take advantage of co-working meetups, advocacy and action events, as well as other in-person opportunities.
Currently, internship positions are unpaid and available for outside funding and college credit only. We are currently working towards a paid internship program for the future.