Conservative, Libertarian and Progressive Legal Fellowships
Short answer: Mission-driven fellowships fall into two groups. Short seminars include the James Wilson Fellowship (one week, due Nov. 4, 2026) (James Wilson Institute), Claremont's John Marshall Fellowship (applications open Dec. 1, 2026) (Claremont Institute) and Blackstone (a summer program for law students) (Blackstone). Paid litigation fellowships include the Institute for Justice ($110,000) (IJ), Pacific Legal Foundation ($100,000) (PLF) and, on the progressive side, the Constitutional Accountability Center ($80,000 sponsored) (CAC).
Fast facts
- James Wilson: up to 15 Fellows, Jan. 2-8, 2027 in Alexandria, Va.; $500 stipend plus travel and lodging (James Wilson Institute).
- John Marshall: seven days in Orange County, Calif.; $1,500 honorarium plus $700 travel (Claremont Institute).
- IJ Litigation Fellowship: two years, 0 to 2 years of experience; clerkship strongly preferred, with tiered clerkship bonuses (IJ).
- PLF: one year from Sept. 1, 2027; two spots per practice area; remote in the U.S. (PLF).
- CAC: D.C. bar membership or eligibility required; hybrid in D.C. (CAC).
- James Wilson Institute: a natural-law seminar for law students, clerks, lawyers and junior academics a few years out. It meets twice a year. Email your application; candidates are told by Nov. 16 (James Wilson Institute). More than 200 alumni (JWI).
- Claremont John Marshall Fellowship: for prospective clerks and legal scholars. The 2026 session ran Aug. 8-16, and its deadline was March 15, 2026. You need a resume, statement, writing sample, two to three recommendations and official transcripts (Claremont Institute). Claremont also runs Publius and Lincoln fellowships (Claremont application forms).
- Blackstone Legal Fellowship (ADF): mainly for 1Ls, with 2Ls encouraged. Applicants affirm the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds (Blackstone). You submit five essays, three letters, a writing sample and transcripts by the January deadline, and review is not rolling (Blackstone). Phase III of the 2027 program runs Aug. 1-8, 2027 (Blackstone).
- Federalist Society: the Olin-Searle-Smith-Darling fellowship funds one to two years of scholarship for future professors; the James Kent Summer Academy is for students and recent graduates (Federalist Society) (FedSoc blog, 2025).
- Institute for Justice: Litigation Fellows are full members of case teams and are considered for permanent jobs at the end. The Bingham Fellowship is a one-year option between clerkships. IJ takes applications all year, and most hires start in August or September (IJ).
- Pacific Legal Foundation: Fall 2027 fellowships in Property Rights, Separation of Powers, and Environment and Natural Resources. PLF aims to make offers by January (PLF).
- Constitutional Accountability Center: the one-year Kendall Fellowship's 2027-28 cycle has closed (CAC careers). The sponsored fellowship brings Skadden, EJW or Justice Catalyst fellows into CAC's amicus practice (CAC).
- ACLU and NAACP LDF: both host sponsored fellows and post fellowship openings; check their pages each spring (ACLU) (LDF). For funders, see the Skadden and EJW guide.
These programs build networks that matter for some chambers. TLS members discuss that openly in Conservative Legal Fellowships and Bristow Question - Does Ideology Matter. Do not list a program you cannot discuss in an interview. For career strategy, talk to BCG Attorney Search.
Discuss on TLS
- Conservative Legal Fellowships
- Bristow Question - Does Ideology Matter
- Best Judges for Public Interest?
Q: What is the James Wilson Fellowship?
A one-week natural-law seminar for up to 15 young lawyers, clerks and students. The Winter 2027 session runs Jan. 2-8, and applications are due Nov. 4, 2026 (James Wilson Institute).
Q: What is the John Marshall Fellowship?
Claremont's seven-day seminar for future clerks and scholars. The 2027 application opens Dec. 1, 2026 (Claremont Institute).
Q: Who can apply to Blackstone?
Mainly 1Ls; 2Ls are encouraged, and 3Ls only in exceptional cases (Blackstone).
Q: What does an IJ Litigation Fellow earn?
$110,000 (IJ).
Related guides
- Bristow Fellowship
- Skadden and EJW
- Federal clerkships
- Legal fellowships directory
- Clerkship Directory home
