2024 – 25 Externally Funded Legal Fellowship

Job Description

The Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C. seeks applicants for a public interest legal fellowship to begin in the fall of 2024. 

The Death Penalty Information Center is a national non-profit educational organization that serves the media and the public by publishing in-depth reports; tracking death sentences, exonerations, death warrants, executions, and appellate developments; and providing accurate information and fact-based analysis on capital punishment in the United States. DPIC has been cited thousands of times in court opinions, attorney briefs, research articles, and news stories.  

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Legal Fellow will research cutting edge issues in the administration of the death penalty. Fellows track and write content for DPIC’s website on issues such as prosecutorial misconduct, new legislation, and Supreme Court rulings, as well as contribute to major DPIC projects and reports. DPIC seeks candidates who are able to secure external funding through their law school, a foundation, or another source. DPIC will work with the candidate to complete the necessary application materials. 

The Fellow will be a full member of the staff, participating in weekly staff meetings, periodic staff retreats, and discussions about organizational planning and priorities. The Legal Fellow may work with law students, undergraduate interns, pro bono volunteers, and external partners on collaborative projects. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented communities to apply.

The Fellow could work remotely or onsite at DPIC's Washington, DC office with a preference for some in-person availability. The Fellow must reside in DC, Virginia, or Maryland.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct specialized legal research
• Track Supreme Court rulings and new legislation
• Write content for DPIC's website on issues such as prosecutorial misconduct
• Contribute to DPIC reports and projects

Qualifications

Required

• Recent law school graduate or expected 2024 law school graduate
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice
• Strong interest in the death penalty
• Ability to conduct specialized legal research about procedurally complex cases
• Ability to clearly explain legal concepts in writing to a lay audience
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative small office environment
• Ability to secure external funding

Preferred

• Familiarity with death penalty practice and procedure through coursework, internships, or other work experience
• In-depth research experience with death penalty cases