Current Openings
Job Title: Litigation Fellowship
Position Type: Full-time
Location: Remote
The Impact Litigation Department of the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) seeks rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for sponsorship for an externally funded fellowship such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works (EJW), or other public interest fellowships, to begin in the fall of 2027.
The Fellow will engage in new and ongoing advocacy and litigation centered on assisting seriously disabled veterans and their caregivers to navigate the complex process of obtaining benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) or other programs within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
PCAFC provides caregiver assistance, including access to health coverage, respite care to avoid caregiver burnout, caregiver training, stipends to offset the financial impact of caregiving, and other forms of support. However, about 10,000 caregivers and veterans apply to the program each month, but about 3 out of 4 are denied. Few advocates assist with PCAFC claims because they are decided by VHA, not the Veterans Benefits Administration with whom most advocates work. Veterans’ appeals within VHA rarely succeed – fewer than 6% result in a grant of benefits.
We are seeking a Fellow to work on development of direct and strategic representation of PCAFC applicants; training advocates to assist veterans and their family caregivers in both the VA process and any available appeals; and policy research and advocacy. The Fellow will also collaborate with law firms and other veterans service organizations and civil rights non-profit organizations partnering with NVLSP.
We also welcome fellowship project proposals in one of our core areas of advocacy, including access to courts for veterans with claims against the VA; fighting civil rights discrimination in the provision of VA health care or benefits; or helping veterans develop their toxic exposure claims. Please review our website to learn more about our current advocacy efforts in these areas.
The position is remote in any of the NVLSP approved work locations. Those locations are: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois (excluding Chicago), Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York (excluding New York City), North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects
- Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs
- Interview witnesses and potential clients
- Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy and training materials
- Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed
- Center principles of access, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
- Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully
- Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
Experience & Qualifications:
- J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027
- Willingness to work closely with NVLSP through the funding application process
- Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion
- Prior experience with veterans law and/or disability rights advocacy (via work or personal experience) preferred but not required
- Sponsorship is limited to people who will qualify for post-graduation fellowship funding, from their law schools or some other fellowship funding organization, for a fellowship beginning in the Fall of 2027.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of 3 references to
Renee Burbank, Director of Litigation
e-mail: Renee.Burbank@nvlsp.org
The cover letter should generally address the applicant’s interest in social justice and disability rights work, and the knowledge, skills, and any relevant professional and lived experience they would bring to this position.
The proposal must be submitted by mid-September 2026. We will review applications on a rolling basis and encourage immediate submission of applications to NVLSP. Priority will be given to applications submitted by June 30, 2026.
NVLSP is an equal opportunity employer.