The Wilderness Society (TWS) is seeking two current second-year law students for a paid summer 2027 law clerk position. Open to law students of all backgrounds with a demonstrated commitment to the conservation/environmental movement. The position is part of TWS’s legal team, which focuses on leveraging law and policy to defend and protect important landscapes and wildlands, ensure the benefits of public lands are shared equitably, and strengthen bedrock conservation laws and policies.
Application Deadline: Applications will close on 10/9/2026 at 5:00 pm PDT. We hope to fill the positions by December.
To Apply: please send a cover letter that describes the unique experiences or perspectives you would bring to TWS, resume, transcript, a short writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and 2-3 references through our online application system (NOT ON HANDSHAKE).
Location: This position is available to be done remotely (or in office where there is a TWS office where applicable) in the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, ID, ME, MD, MT, NV, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, or WY.
About the Organization:
The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting America’s wild places since 1935. Our mission is to unite people to protect America’s wild places. Through science, advocacy and partnerships with communities and policymakers, we champion the protection of wilderness, national parks, forests, and other public lands that provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat and the freedom to connect with nature. For more information, visit www.wilderness.org.
As an organization, we aspire to be inclusive in the work that we do, and in the kind of organization we are. Internally this means working as a team that listens to different points of view, recognizes the contributions of every employee, and empowers each employee to bring their whole selves to work every day. Externally, this means ensuring that public lands are inclusive and welcoming, so that our shared wildlands can help people and nature to thrive. We are committed to equity throughout our work, which we define as our commitment to realizing the promise of our public lands and ensuring that all can share their universal benefits. We aspire to be campaign-oriented, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff and law clerks – our greatest asset.
The Megan Dickie Wilderness Leadership Fund:
The position is funded by the Megan Dickie Wilderness Leadership Fund. The fund was created in 2017 to honor and sustain Megan Dickie’s passion for wilderness, dedication to inspiring others to protect wild places, and commitment to expanding the cadre of public lands advocates. Megan was a talented TWS attorney and policy expert who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35. The fund is designed to provide career-building opportunities for law students of all backgrounds, expanding our reach and shaping new leaders for the future of conservation.
Clerkship Overview:
The law clerk(s) will join TWS’s legal team and assist with applying public land law and policy to protect and defend important conservation policies and place-based decisions for our shared public lands. The clerk(s) will conduct legal and policy research and analysis that will help advance conservation campaigns and legal strategies.
Compensation is $25/hour. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) for 10 weeks.
TWS will reimburse clerks for reasonable business expenses, including travel expenses to visit a TWS office location to meet staff in person and have an opportunity to visit federal public lands. TWS does not reimburse routine commute expenses, however.
Ideal candidates will excel at conducting legal and policy research, analyzing complex legal questions, and concisely reporting their findings. It is helpful but not needed to have some familiarity with administrative law, environmental or public lands law, agency rulemaking, and the policies/practices of the executive and legislative branches of government.
To Apply: please send a cover letter that describes the unique experiences or perspectives you would bring to TWS, resume, transcript, a short writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and 2-3 references through the online application system (NOT ON HANDSHAKE).
Applications must be received by 10/9/2026 at 5:00 pm PDT.
Applicants for the summer 2027 legal clerkship are also invited to indicate their interest in a spring 2027 and/or fall 2027 legal externship as part of the application for this position. We will consider the summer 2027 position to be the candidate’s first choice of position, unless the candidate clearly indicates otherwise in their job application.