2025 Constitutional Law Fellowship

This is an extraordinary time in history to advance and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV across the country. GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), New England’s premier LGBTQ+ and HIV legal advocacy organization, is seeking a full-time Constitutional Law Fellow to work alongside some of the leading LGBTQ+ attorneys in our movement on cutting edge issues facing our communities.

This fully funded, one- or two-year fellowship’s primary focus is to advance constitutional rights and to defend those rights when challenged for LGBTQ+ people, including those related to marriage equality and also religion, religious and First Amendment protections and exemptions, and in efforts to change existing rights. The Constitutional Law Fellow may also engage in other matters within GLAD’s core litigation and legislative work.

About GLAD

At GLAD, we don’t just envision change—we make it happen. For over 45 years, both in New England and nationally, GLAD has used strategic litigation, legislative initiatives, regulatory measures, and public education and engagement to create a more just society free of discrimination on the basis of gender identity, HIV status, and sexual orientation. GLAD has secured key movement victories, from establishing HIV protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act to securing transgender rights in groundbreaking legal battles.

In addition to challenging bans on medically-necessary healthcare for transgender adults and youth in Florida and Alabama, GLAD’s policy work encompasses legislation removing barriers to PrEP, shielding healthcare practitioners providing reproductive health care and transgender health care from hostile out-of-state actions, and providing legal protection for LGBTQ+ families across New England and nationally. GLAD litigates and advocates on matters touching our lives throughout the life course. Whether involving students and schools, criminal justice, juvenile justice, child welfare, healthcare, insurance, or employment, housing, and public accommodations, GLAD’s impact work includes addressing systemic discrimination and inequities for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.

GLAD attorneys argued and won in the first, breakthrough marriage case of Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health in Massachusetts in 2003 and argued again at the Supreme Court in 2015, where marriage equality became the law of the land. The Obergefell ruling reinforced the equality of LGBTQ+ people, expanded our rights to live our lives, and respected that we are the ones to make important life decisions about how we organize our families, raise our children, and what happens in our homes and bedrooms.

GLAD’s ongoing advocacy and partnerships have made the New England states leaders and innovators while also making strategic and pivotal contributions nationally. This includes victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, where Obergefell was won after years of collaboration with movement colleagues and people all around the country. In these extraordinary times of fierce attacks on LGBTQ+ people and the hard-won family, nondiscrimination, gender, health, and constitutional protections for our communities we enjoy today, we continue leading and partnering locally, regionally, and nationally to create a more just society for all LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.

GLAD continues to break through resistance and prejudice to make real progress. We insist on the dignity, inclusion, safety, and well-being of all LGBTQ+ people. This commitment extends to historically marginalized persons who are LGBTQ+ and/or living with HIV—people of color, transgender individuals, people living with disabilities, low-income individuals, youth, and older adults.

As lawyers, we are determined, tenacious, and strive for excellence because the work of our communities demands it.

Position Summary

The Constitutional Law Fellow will engage in the following activities to strengthen GLAD’s litigation and other advocacy to defend and expand our constitutional rights and protections, with a focus on marriage equality and also work in religion, religious and First Amendment exemptions in public institutions, and in efforts to change existing rights.

• Legal research and writing; research and writing in history, social sciences, politics, and data sets; maintaining and updating trackers; collaborating internally and externally;
• Supporting and engaging in litigation and legislative and policy initiatives to defend and expand existing constitutional protections within the focus areas of the fellowship, and within other areas on an as-needed basis;
• Supporting GLAD’s other work as directed.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will be dedicated to furthering GLAD’s mission and values. Requirements include strong research, writing, and analytical skills along with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with a diverse and intergenerational workforce. In addition, applicants should be committed to protecting and advancing civil rights and liberties, including those linked to marriage equality. Preference will be given to individuals with a demonstrated interest in constitutional law related to the areas of the Fellowship.

Current attorneys, recent judicial law clerks, and recently graduated or current law students are all encouraged to apply. GLAD will consider applications from current law students, clerks, or attorneys completing a different fellowship in 2025.

Compensation

3-5 years since JD – $87,500 – $95,000
0-2 years since JD – $75,000 – $85,000

GLAD offers excellent benefits including three weeks of paid vacation, fourteen paid holidays, four floating personal days, fully paid individual health and dental insurance, disability insurance, and 401k with employer contribution.

GLAD provides Constitutional Law Fellows an in-office or hybrid option in consultation with their supervising attorney. Periodic in-person appearances and work travel will be required.

Application Process and Timing

Please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to conlawfellow@glad.org. Emails should contain the subject line “2025 Constitutional Law Fellowship.” Cover letters should be addressed to Mary Bonauto, Senior Director of Civil Rights & Legal Strategies. Please choose a 5-7 page writing sample that amply demonstrates your analytical and writing skills. You may choose a sample that has been edited or influenced by others, but please note that fact and how it influenced the work product in your application. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled for a start date in August 2025. Applicants should include their anticipated start date (month and year) in their cover letter.