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Spring 2027 Clerkship
Full-time, Part-time, Intern
Posted on Oct 6, 2026
Position Overview
Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) is currently accepting applications for our 2027 Spring Semester Law Clerk Program. Over the course of the semester, law students will use state and federal laws to protect and restore local water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CLA will work closely with students to meet law school requirements and ensure this educational clerkship meets all conditions for award of school credit.Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) is currently accepting applications for our 2026 Fall Semester Law Clerk Program. Over the course of the semester, law students will use state and federal laws to protect and restore local water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CLA will work closely with students to meet law school requirements and ensure this educational clerkship meets all conditions for award of school credit.
Additionally, Waterkeepers Chesapeake (WKC), a program of CLA, is seeking a law clerk for the 2027 Spring Semester. WKC supports 16 Waterkeeper programs protecting rivers, streams, and communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Waterkeepers serve as the eyes and ears of their waters: they monitor water quality, identify pollution and public health concerns, and advocate for practical solutions to address complex environmental problems. WKC connects our Waterkeeper members to legal and legislative expertise and helps them develop coordinated strategies to advance clean water and public health.
Responsibilities & Learning Opportunities
CLA Law Clerks are given significant responsibility in various tasks including: conducting legal research and writing, providing litigation support, assisting staff in evaluating requests for legal assistance, participating in community events and stakeholder meetings, and thinking creatively and strategically about how to use the law to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.
WKC’s Law Clerk will work directly with the WKC Director and Waterkeepers. The position will involve significant legal research and writing, with a practical focus on applying legal analysis to real-world environmental advocacy. Assignments may include:
- Researching environmental laws and regulations to assess legal options and strategic enforcement opportunities;
- Connecting water quality data and scientific information to legal and policy advocacy;
- Assisting with regulatory comment letters, legislative testimony, policy white papers, and other written advocacy; and
- Supporting regional work on issues such as stormwater, wastewater, industrial pollution, agriculture, aquatic species, PFAS, and data centers.
All Law Clerks will participate in and have access to staff, partner, and stakeholder meetings, webinars, hearings, and phone calls, along with research and writing projects.
Location & Time Commitment
Clerkships can be in person or remote. The number of hours Clerks are expected to spend per week working on CLA/WKC projects will vary based on the number of hours of credit the student is receiving, with a minimum of 15 hours per week expected. Full time and part time clerkships will be considered.
Qualifications
Candidates must be current 2L or 3L law students with excellent writing and research skills. Experience and/or a demonstrated interest in environmental and administrative law, with a focus on water quality issues, is highly desirable. Additionally, for WKC’s Law Clerk, a background in environmental science, engineering, public health, GIS/data analysis, or another relevant scientific or technical field is a plus but not required.