Criminal Justice Program Fellow

Who we are

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high‑impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in seeking justice for animal victims and to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

The Criminal Justice Program Fellowships further the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund by engaging in research and legal writing aimed at improving the systemic handling of crimes against animals and providing members of the criminal justice system with essential legal support on criminal cases with animal victims.

Criminal Justice Program Fellows are responsible for the day‑to‑day management of assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research and other related tasks. They are exposed to a wide range of legal issues where the fields of animal law and criminal law intersect, expanding the breadth and depth of their knowledge and experience.

You will report to: Managing Attorney

• Assist prosecutors and courtroom animal advocates on animal cruelty cases at the trial level through strategies for animal cruelty‑specific issues, as well as factual and legal analysis of animal cruelty statutes, rules of criminal procedure, and other related laws; draft memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other documents as needed for trial preparation.
• Assist law enforcement, animal control officers, and veterinarians with animal cruelty investigations, including reviewing affidavits, warrants, expert witness testimony, and veterinary reports.
• Identify and analyze the viability of potential animal cruelty charges in cases where criminal charges have not been filed, and draft correspondence to relevant law enforcement, prosecutors, and other key stakeholders outlining the viability of a criminal cruelty case where appropriate.
• Communicate efficiently with complainants and advocates by phone and e‑mail; gather relevant facts (through eyewitness accounts, media reports, and other sources as needed) for potential criminal cruelty cases; and identify, after thorough legal analysis, those cases warranting further investigation.
• Assist with drafting, editing, and submission of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of ALDF.
• Assist with the review, development, and advancement of new legislation relating to animal crimes in all U.S. jurisdictions, including support work for Rankings Report project.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other legal programs such as the Litigation Program staff on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components, and with the Legislative Affairs Program on legislative matters with a criminal component.
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on criminal legal issues and procedures.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. as needed.
• Provide in‑house expertise for staff on questions concerning Criminal Justice Program cases, animal cruelty cases in general and criminal procedures and legal strategy.
• Other criminal justice projects (e.g. intersection of animal law and criminal justice reform; effective sentencing models; emergent animal law/criminal law issues; etc.) as requested by Criminal Justice Program Managing Attorney.

• Starting annual salary of $71,509 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, starting pay is $75,273.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, starting pay is $79,036.
• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid).
• Flexible…