2026 Impact Fund Law Fellowship
About the Impact Fund: Impact Fund is a civil rights legal nonprofit based in Berkely, California. Impact Fund strives to achieve economic, environmental, racial, and social justice through (1) litigation, (2) attorney training, and (3) legal grant-making. We serve as lead counsel, co-counsel, and amicus counsel in select class action and impact social justice litigation. We also provide strategic leadership, training, and expertise on issues that arise in impact litigation. Finally, we provide grants supporting impact litigation in civil rights, human rights, environmental justice, and poverty law.
Position Description: Impact Fund seeks to sponsor a candidate for a 2026 public interest law fellowship. Impact Fund is interested in applicants with civil rights-focused project proposals who intend to apply for outside funding, including internally funded law school fellowships. Applicants should be prepared to describe one or more project ideas related to improving access to justice, public benefits, civil rights, or any social justice issue that has the potential to be addressed through impact litigation. Impact Fund will assist in developing the idea into a fellowship proposal and help prepare fellowship applications as needed.
During their fellowship, the Law Fellow will be a fully integrated member of the legal team, working on our current docket of cases, legal projects, and amicus briefs. They will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our legal work, including case investigation, strategy, discovery, and drafting case and amicus briefs. They will attend our Class Action Training Institute and Class Action Conference. The Law Fellow will report to the Litigation Director and will also work closely with the Executive Director. Our small legal team ensures daily interaction with key decisionmakers, significant responsibility, and meaningful litigation experience.
Benefits: This a full-time position starting in late August 2026 and the salary will be $77,000/year. We are currently a hybrid remote/in-person workplace with two in-person office days required per week. Additional benefits include fully subsidized health insurance for the Law Fellow and a 50% subsidy for spouse and dependents, 15 paid vacation days for the first year, 10 paid sick days, and 14 paid holidays per year, as well as a 10-day winter office closure.
Qualifications: Applicants should be entering the third year of law school or a recent graduate. Current or incoming judicial clerks are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have:
A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and social justice through relevant coursework, prior employment, academic activities, and/or externships;
Cultural competency including awareness of personal attitudes, beliefs, and biases, and ability to effectively and respectfully receive and communicate information across social demographics.
Excellent research, writing, and communication skills;
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; and
Completed the California bar exam before beginning work.
To Apply: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis after June 20, 2025. Please send the following materials to Megan Flynn at mflynn@impactfund.org with your name and “Law Fellow Application” in the subject line:
Cover letter. As part of your cover letter, please address: your commitment to social justice work; relevant experience and skills; and ways in which your background and experiences (professional and/or personal) have prepared you to engage with our work and contribute to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Resume.
Legal writing sample.
Contact information for 3 professional or academic references
Impact Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We invite applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Please reach out to Megan Flynn (mflynn@impactfund.org) if you have access needs to facilitate submission of your application. More information about the Impact Fund can be found at www.impactfund.org.