Summer Law Clerk

Overview

The Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) is pleased to announce an opening for a 2026 Summer Law Clerk Fellowship. Details are provided below. If you are interested, please provide a resume, personal statement of 300-500 words explaining what drew you to publicinterest legal work and the UMLC, and short writing sample to legal no later than January 30, 2026. Interviews will occur January 26-February 3, with decisions being made on this opportunity by February 5.

UMLC is a non-profit public interest law firm located in the greater Minneapolis area that litigates for liberty and the rule of law. UMLC has successfully brought legal challenges to stop police defunding in Minneapolis, Governor Walz’s unconstitutional discrimination against houses of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic, force Hennepin County toreconstitute its ballot board, require a school district to remove “Black Lives Matter” posters, andmuch more.

To find out more about our organization, current or past cases, or to listen to arecent podcast, visit us  .

In this approximately 10-week fellowship, the law clerk will:

• draft briefs and pleadings;
• provide legal research;
• assist with discovery;
• support senior attorneys in other firm-related tasks; and
• have the opportunity to research interesting legal issues for potential op-ed and law review submissions.

As part of your application, UMLC wants to hear about what legal issues you would like to impact most. Interested candidates should send a resume and legal issue of interest to legal .

A successful clerk applicant will receive a competitive hourly or monthly stipend amount to be specified at the time of the offer, depending on all the circumstances, including whether other outside funding is obtained.

• JD candidate class of 2027 or 2028 (i.e., current 1L or 2L students);
• Excellent writing, communication (verbal and written), and organizational skills;
• Focus on attention to detail;
• Ambitious with an interest in learning new things;
• Ability to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment;
• Must be a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident.
• Ideal candidate would be willing to maintain residence in or temporarily relocate to the Minneapolis area for the duration of the summer fellowship for a hybrid work schedule, but fully remote schedules will be considered.