Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellowship

2025-2026 Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellow

The Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellowship currently is seeking applicants for its 2025-2026 Fellowship, a unique one-year position dedicated to systemic impact litigation in federal and state appellate courts. The next Fellow will start in September 2025.  

For nearly twenty-five years, in cases raising issues of profound importance to people and communities affected by poverty and discrimination, Murnaghan Fellows have given voice to the under-represented in federal and state appellate courts and, in doing so, have helped shape the law. The fellowship was established as a living memorial to Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to honor his lifelong commitment to protecting constitutional rights and steadfast belief in justice for all.  

The Murnaghan Fellow works at the Public Justice Center (PJC) in Baltimore, Maryland. The PJC is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that focuses on systemic change for people who live in poverty and face structural inequity, with a strong emphasis on how ongoing systemic racism impacts people of color. 

The 2025-26 Murnaghan Fellowship is open to individuals who have completed a year-long judicial clerkship in any state or federal court. The Fellow must be admitted to a bar and be in good standing at the commencement of the fellowship. Interested individuals should submit an application including a resume, law school transcript, statement of interest, and the names of three references no later than October 16, 2024. Applications should be submitted by email to Tassity Johnson, Chair of the Fellowship Selection Committee, at murnaghanfellowship2@gmail.com. The 2025-2026 Murnaghan Fellow will be compensated at a level commensurate with a current first-year federal law clerk salary. Interviews will be conducted virtually in mid-November 2024.

The Murnaghan Fellowship Selection Committee encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Public Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer.  

For more information, please visit our website. You can read a statement from our 2023-2024 Fellow Melanie Babb about her year as the Murnaghan Fellow. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, please call Tassity Johnson at (832) 729–4843 or e-mail her at tassity.johnson@gmail.com.