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Great Lakes Legal Fellow
National Wildlife Federation
Legal
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
USD 70k-80k / year
Posted on Oct 29, 2025
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with fifty-two state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. NWF's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
To support our mission, we are seeking a full-time attorney for a two-year legal fellowship (with the possibility of a third year) at our Great Lakes Regional Center in Ann Arbor, MI. The Great Lakes Regional Center (GLRC) works to protect the Great Lakes and their neighboring watersheds across a six-state area to build a resilient future for the people, wildlife, and communities that depend on this precious ecosystem. The GRLC advocates for stronger policies which restore critical habitats and ensure environmental justice for all focusing on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The GLRC works on many campaigns, including campaigns to shutdown Line 5 and other energy pipelines, protect against invasive species, regulate ballast water, reduce harmful algal blooms, ensure water affordability, and protect against PFAS pollution.
This Great Lakes Legal Fellowship is designed to increase the legal capacity for the GLRC while also providing a law school graduate or early career attorney significant training and mentorship to build a strong foundation in environmental law practice. The fellow will work on a variety of legal areas, including: water pollution, civil rights in the context of pollution and natural resources management, utility ratemaking, wildlife management, the public trust doctrine, land use & zoning, and public lands. The fellow will be an integral member of our GLRC team and will work directly with NWF’s state affiliate organizations and its external partner organizations. The position reports to the Senior Attorney for the GLRC, who also directs the Environmental Law & Sustainability Clinic of the University of Michigan Law School.
Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):
- Support the GLRC senior attorney
- Provide a legal perspective to each of the GLRC’s issue campaigns
- Co-lead any NWF GLRC litigation effort
- Serve as one of the client contacts whenever an outside law firm represents NWF on a matter pertaining to the GLRC
- Submit comments to administrative agencies and legislative committees
- Draft legislation and advise staff members on the implications of proposed bills and regulations
- Contribute legal analysis to NWF reports
- Make presentations to the GLRC staff on significant developments in the law that may impact the organization
- Work with appropriate NWF staff members to identify and support our affiliates’ legal capacity needs
- Help to recruit and mentor summer legal interns
- Collaborate with other NWF attorneys on projects that impact the GLRC
- Other duties as appropriate
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Juris doctorate degree (either present at time of application or to be issued by the summer of 2026)
- A license to practice law in Michigan (that the applicant either possesses at time of application or can obtain within one year of the start date)
- Commitment to collaboration, strategic thinking, interpersonal relationship building, teamwork, technology, diplomacy, and diversity & equity
- Self-motivation and willingness to do administrative tasks
- A commitment to the conservation legacy and overall mission of the National Wildlife Federation
Nice to have, but not required:
- Judicial clerkship (that the applicant either completed or is completing at time of application)
- One completed semester in a law school clinic
- Familiarity with administrative law
- Familiarity with climate, energy, environmental, or natural resources law
- Educational or work background pertaining to an environmental or natural resources science such as ecology, wildlife biology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, public health, or a similar field
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Travel Requirements:
Some domestic travel will be required to attend client meetings, trainings, staff retreats, and other events, approximately 5-10 nights per year.
Location and Work Mode:
This position will be based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work on a hybrid basis, and would ideally work at the Ann Arbor office on average a minimum of two days a week.
Physical Requirements of the Job:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience.
We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
- Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
- We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
- Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
- Therapist available at no cost
- Pet insurance and discount perk program
- Annual wellbeing allowance
- In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
- Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
- Annual year end retirement contribution
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
- Pet adoption stipend
- Student Loan management
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit the following information:
- Resume (any number of pages)
- Cover letter (max 500 words)
- A list of three professional references
- One of whom must be able to vouch for the applicant’s writing ability
- There should be a one or two sentence description that explains how each reference knows the applicant
- Unofficial or official law school transcript
- Writing sample that is not from a first-year legal writing course
We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.
Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at careers@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.