2025 Summer Associate - Justice

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is at the heart of showing the progressive movement the power the courts have in all our lives. Our nearly 150 organizations represent a broad array of groups committed to progressive values. Since 1979, AFJ has been the leader in advocating for a fair and independent justice system, and we have changed the conversation around the critical importance of our courts. We are shaping a tomorrow where rights are safeguarded, and justice prevails.

AFJ is offering paid summer associate positions with a commitment to pay $8,000 for the duration of the program. This is a 10-week program that typically runs between the months of May and August with flexible start dates. AFJ welcomes the opportunity to partner with associates who are receiving partial or full funding from a third party. If funding from the third party is less than what AFJ has committed to paying summer associates, AFJ will make up the difference in salary.

AFJ's 2025 Summer Associates will work on our State Court Justice Project, Building the Bench initiative, and/or federal judicial nominations work.

95% of all cases in the United States are filed in state courts, which serve an essential role in guarding our democracy and protecting civil and human rights. AFJ’s State Court Justice Project engages around important state court elections and vacancies nationwide, monitors noteworthy state supreme court cases, and details judicial selection methods for state supreme courts across the country to help voters better understand how judges in their states are chosen.

AFJ’s Building the Bench initiative identifies, recruits, and advocates for a highly qualified and demographically and experientially diverse pool of candidates for federal and state judgeships. Associates will contribute legal research, candidate research, and strategic input to both projects and will have the opportunity to create content for the State Court Justice Project and related writings for our blog.

AFJ vets nominees to the federal judiciary. AFJ educates a variety of stakeholders to ensure that only fair, qualified individuals committed to social justice are confirmed. AFJ also works to identify and advocate for the strongest potential nominees to the federal judiciary, who reflect the demographic and experiential diversity of the country.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Monitor, analyze, and write about state supreme and lower court cases, media, and policy developments;
• Monitor state and federal judicial nominations and vacancies;
• Conduct comprehensive research analyzing nominees’ records and then draft reports for the governors’ administrations, press, the public, and key stakeholders;
• Research and vet prospective judicial candidates;
• Attend confirmation hearings;
• Attend coalition meetings;
• Conduct research and analysis related to a broad array of public interest law issues;
• Support meetings with key legislative offices in coordination with AFJ staff;
• Identify state and federal judges who should be honored for their judicial legacies;
• Work with Communications and Development teams to draft press releases, blog posts, and web content;
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Current law student;
• Excellent research, writing, and oral communications skills;
• Ability to analyze and clearly explain concepts of law and public policy;
• Demonstrated experience breaking down complex topics to non-expert audiences;
• An interest in federal appellate law and the federal judiciary;
• Familiarity with the state supreme court selection landscape is a plus but not required;
• Experience in advocacy and/or political work;
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil rights, and public interest issues essential;
• Applicants must be able to work 40 hours per week.
• This is a fully remote position.

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants please reference Summer Associate – Justice in your cover letter and submit your resume and writing sample to our website at www.afj.org/about/careers/. (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

AFJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFJ prohibits discrimination against its employees and applicants for employment based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, serostatus, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or income.