What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship position at FIRE?
About FIRE
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
Overview
The Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship in First Amendment Litigation is FIRE’s premier summer opportunity for law students committed to defending free expression. This 10-week, paid opportunity offers an $8,000 stipend and runs from June through August. Fellows work at FIRE’s Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. offices, contributing directly to cutting-edge litigation that protects freedom of speech, expression, and thought.
The fellowship serves as a pipeline to connect talented law students with FIRE’s long-term mission. Hellman Fellows will build a long-term relationship with FIRE with the possibility of returning to work with us as full-time employees, joining our Legal Network where they can take their own cases pro bono, authoring supporting amicus briefs, or serving as our local counsel.
Hellman Fellows will work at FIRE's Philadelphia or D.C. office.
Hellman Fellows work closely with FIRE’s First Amendment litigators on substantive projects that advance our strategic litigation. Fellows are trained in essential skills of public-interest practice — including legal research and writing, client interaction, and media relations — and are expected to make meaningful contributions to active cases.
Qualifications
FIRE seeks rising 2Ls and 3Ls with excellent academic credentials and a demonstrated passion for civil liberties and public-interest litigation. Successful applicants are collaborative, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to the principles of free expression.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
As part of FIRE's hiring process, all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state and local law.