Harvard Law School’s Environmental & Energy Law Program (EELP) is seeking a Legal Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year with the potential to renew for one additional year. The fellowship is a full-time, in-person position in Cambridge, Mass.
The Fellow will provide legal research and analysis on a range of current issues in environmental and energy law. The Fellow may also have the opportunity to develop new projects, both independently and collaboratively with EELP colleagues, to provide rigorous legal analysis to advance deep decarbonization and protect public health and welfare.
Fellowship Duties & Responsibilities
The Fellow’s work will entail but is not limited to:
- Working closely with the Executive Director, collaborating with EELP attorneys and staff, and supervising HLS student research assistants, as well as receiving occasional assignments from the program’s faculty directors.
- Coordinating assignments and events for EELP research assistants and other Harvard Law School students.
- Researching and writing legal analysis through white papers, blog posts, and occasionally, lengthier articles for academic law journals or external publications. Research topics will include a variety of environmental and climate issues, and the Fellow will be encouraged to pursue research and writing on topics that interest them.
- Interacting with practitioners, stakeholders, and academics active in relevant legal and policy areas.
- May be asked to respond to press inquiries.
Required Qualifications
This Fellowship is designed as an entry-level legal position. Applicants should have earned a J.D. within the last three years.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with environmental law and a demonstrated interest in deepening their knowledge of the field. Legal research and writing skills for specialized and general audiences. The ideal candidate is open to working with an editor and possesses a strong sense of initiative with an ability to work effectively both independently and on collaborative projects. Experience with presenting, public speaking, and convening diverse stakeholders is a plus.
About EELP
EELP is a research program at Harvard Law School. Our team of expert attorneys, staff, and student research assistants identify durable policies and strategies for policymakers, the private sector, and environmental NGOs that will facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. We track and analyze policy developments, legal actions, and court decisions. We educate policymakers, the private sector, and advocates on the legal implications of these actions, and we educate the public by serving as an expert resource for media and providing credible, accessible analyses in online platforms. We train students to make practical contributions to environmental law and policy. The Program’s portfolio, research, and projects are selected and directed by EELP’s Executive Director and staff.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identify, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter discussing qualifications and interest in the fellowship position, a resume, a copy of your law school transcript, writing sample of no more than ten pages that demonstrates original legal analysis, and contact information for three references. The writing sample should include a cover page (not included in the 10-page limit) that briefly describes any external feedback or editing received on the piece. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted no later than November 1, 2025. Please submit applications and direct any questions to Sara Dewey at [email protected] and Abby Husselbee at [email protected].