2026 Summer Law Fellow

Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California Tribes and Native Americans through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian Tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Native Americans at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to federal Indian law. Currently, CILS operates four offices in California - Central Office (Sacramento), Northern Office (McKinleyville), Eastern Office (Bishop) and Southern Office (Escondido). Additional information about CILS may be found on our website, at www.calindian.org.

POSITION DESCRIPTION :

Depending on available funding, CILS hires full-time temporary Fellows (current law students) for Summer Fellowships in its various field offices. Supervised by the field office Directing Attorneys and at the direction of the Director of Legal Programs (who supervises all CILS advocate work), the Fellow works collaboratively with all four CILS field offices to provide exceptional legal services in multiple areas of federal Indian law. The Fellows undergo a robust training in federal Indian law and attend community education events hosted by CILS.

Fellows have the opportunity to assume a varied case load that may include : brief counsel and services to low-income Native American individuals; state and federal court litigation; contract negotiation; advising Tribal clients; developing and implementing constitutions, codes, and policies for Tribal clients; making presentations; and ICWA related dependency cases.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

Fellows contribute to specific projects from CILS' four field offices as needed. Fellows may research and draft pleadings to be filed in active litigation cases in both state and federal court. Fellows may also research and review policies or draft codes for Tribal court use, participate in will clinics where the Fellow would prepare legal documents and witness will signings for individuals who own trust land, assist in land use cases by providing legal and historical record research, and prepare responsive letters to provide information to individuals who contact CILS for legal assistance.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Completion of at least one year of law school with an intent to return to law school
• Excellent communication, writing and legal research skills
• Organized
• Strong work ethic and able to work nights and weekends when many tribal councils meet
• Ability to travel overnight and a valid driver's license
• A commitment to providing high quality legal services for Native Americans
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to take initiative

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

COMPENSATION :

CONDITIONS :

TO APPLY :

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, law school transcripts, preferred office locations in order of preference and at least two academic / professional references via e-mail to hiring@calindian.org by March 2, 2026. Placement decisions will be made no later than April 1, 2026.