Spring 2025 Pro Bono Program Externships

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers externships and student volunteer positions for spring semester 2025. Externships are experiential learning opportunities for which students receive academic credit from their law schools. Externship requirements may vary based on specific law school requirements.

Student volunteer positions are experiential learning opportunities for which students can receive pro bono credits or a public interest stipend from their schools.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Externship and Volunteer Program gives law students who demonstrate an interest in animal law the opportunity to work with and be trained by top experts in the field. Externs and volunteers are integral members of a program team and work on projects that further the current work of the program and advance the mission and goals of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Externs and volunteers also participate in activities that will allow them to network across the organization with Animal Legal Defense Fund staff and other externs and volunteers and engage them in the mission and goals of the organization.

• Landlord, tenant, and other housing related issues
• Animal custody disputes
• Dangerous dog designations and breed-specific restrictions
• Tort law matters and issues of negligence
• Issues related to animals being considered property under the law

The Successful Candidate

• Experience as a 2L, 3L (or part-time program equivalent), or LLM student at an ABA accredited law school.
• A sincere interest in animal protection.
• Superior legal research and writing skills, including the ability to tailor voice and style to various audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others and function well in a mission-driven, team-oriented work environment.
• Willingness to accept a variety of assignments within the expanding field of animal law.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.
• Ability to use discretion, keeping in mind the confidential and emotional aspects of our work.
• Access to a computer with internet and Microsoft Suite.
• Familiarity with animal law is preferred.