About Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC):
Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC) is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that provides legal support and advocacy for Indigenous Peoples, the Earth, and frontline environmental justice communities protecting sacred lands and waters. Through movement lawyering, community education, and impact litigation, we work to dismantle systems of oppression rooted in colonialism, environmental exploitation, and human rights violations.​
We welcome applicants who share our values and are committed to decolonial, justice-centered and Indigenous-led, relational lawyering. Our work is impact-driven, and we strive to foster culturally safe, trauma-informed, and relational legal practices. We maintain a remote work environment, and team members must be capable of self-direction, taking initiative, and maintaining a reliable internet connection.
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WPLC does not discriminate with respect to employment, membership, or the provision of services on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, socio-economic background, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, national origin, ancestry, public assistance status, or immigration status.
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We are deeply committed to building a diverse and representative team and strongly encourage applications from those with lived experience in the communities we serve. WPLC is actively working to increase Indigenous representation in the legal field, recognizing that less than 1% of lawyers in the U.S. are Indigenous, according to the American Bar Association. We aim to create pathways for Indigenous and BIPOC law students to engage in movement lawyering and environmental justice work rooted in cultural safety, sovereignty, and self-determination. While our priority is supporting Indigenous and BIPOC students, we also welcome strong allies who are committed to working in environmental and human rights law spaces that intersect with Indigenous rights and frontline resistance.
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WPLC Summer Law Fellowship 2025
We invite applications from current second-year law students, or exceptional first-year law students with strong research and writing skills and a demonstrated commitment to social justice, Indigenous rights, or environmental law, for Summer 2025 law clerk positions.
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Summer Program Details:
Law clerks will contribute 400 hours of legal research, writing, and advocacy support during the summer, working on topics including:
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Federal Indian Law
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International Indigenous rights and human rights mechanisms
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Environmental and climate justice law
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Water law and rights of nature
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Corporate accountability and anti-SLAPP defense
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Movement legal support and protest defense
Law clerks will work alongside WPLC attorneys and legal staff and may assist with:
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Drafting legal memos, briefs, and public records/FOIA requests
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Research and writing for domestic and international advocacy
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Monitoring and supporting frontline actions and community legal trainings
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Contributing to movement-oriented resources and legal education tools
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Supporting international submissions (e.g., UPR, Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures) and environmental litigation strategies
Clerks will receive mentorship, opportunities for direct engagement with frontline movements, and experience in culturally grounded and trauma-informed lawyering. We strive to foster a space for student growth while also demanding professionalism, initiative, and excellence.
Stipend and Credit:
WPLC will provide a modest $1,500 stipend for up to four Summer 2025 law clerks. We strongly encourage applicants to seek additional funding through their schools, the National Lawyers Guild, Equal Justice America, or other public interest funding sources. WPLC will support efforts to secure funding or academic credit as needed.
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Location:
WPLC operates in a fully remote setting. Clerks may be based anywhere but must have access to a stable internet connection and be available for meetings and assignments during standard working hours in their time zone. Self-direction, time management, and reliability are essential.
Application Deadline:
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Priority Deadline for Summer 2025: June 1, 2025
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Clerks must commit to completing 400 hours between the end of spring term and the beginning of fall term.
How to Apply:
To apply for the Summer 2025 Law Clerk Fellowship, please email the following materials in PDF format:
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Cover letter describing your interest in Indigenous rights, Tribal affiliation if any, your interest in public interest and any experience in environmental and Indigenous rights issues, as well as any scheduling needs or special considerations
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Resume
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Two references, including at least one who can speak to your public interest or Indigenous/environmental law experience
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Writing sample (5–10 pages)
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Please indicate in your cover letter that you are applying for the Summer 2025 Law Clerk position
Submit applications or questions to: