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Litigating for individual liberty is the core of PLF’s mission.
Training the next generation to keep up the fight is vital to its success.

 

Clerkship

Pacific Legal Foundation’s law clerk program is a stimulating and challenging educational experience as well as an introduction into the field of public interest law. PLF law clerks may tackle legal research and writing projects in environmental law, private property rights, racial equality, economic liberty, or other areas. In addition, clerks will have a unique opportunity to study the constitutional and philosophical framework of liberty—subjects often overlooked in the law school setting—alongside some of the best known litigators in the nationwide freedom-oriented legal reform movement. For current clerkship offerings, visit our Career opportunities.

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Research & Policy Internship

PLF’s internship is an introduction to research or policy within a public interest law firm. This semester or summer long program gives interns the opportunity to conduct research in our key areas separation of powers, economic liberty, property rights, and equality before the law. Interns work with attorneys, social science researchers, legal researchers, legislative and other professionals in the liberty space. This is a perfect internship for entrepreneurial undergrad or grad students who are interested in a career defending liberty in the nonprofit sector. For current offerings visit our Career Opportunities.

Application Windows (Accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled)

  • Summer – December 1 to January 15
  • Fall – April 1 – May 15
  • Spring – September 15 to October 15
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Berkeley Seminar & Field Placement at Berkeley Law School

PLF’s educational program at Berkeley Law School launched in August 2018, offering a unique opportunity to reach students at one of the country’s most prestigious law schools—where students are not typically exposed to discussions about the importance of individual liberty.

The seminar, taught by PLF Executive Vice President and General Counsel John M. Groen, focuses on strategic constitutional litigation and the history of key legal principles, such as the regulatory takings doctrine, that uniquely affect property rights and economic liberty. It emphasizes the teaching of substantive areas of law through focusing on PLF cases, particularly those at the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the field placement, students join an active PLF litigation team to gain firsthand experience in pro-liberty public interest law.

The Berkeley seminar and field placement takes pro-liberty public interest litigation out of its silo and introduces it to the next generation of attorneys, who may or may not share our views before taking the course.