Environmental Justice Fellowship

Spring 2027 Application Information

The Environmental Justice Fellowship will fund a two-year (24-month, full-time) post-graduate fellowship. This opportunity allows a recent graduate to work with an existing environmental legal organization.

Fellowship Funding & Salary
The fellowship provides a stipend of up to $75,000 per year to support the fellow’s salary. The salary should be agreed upon by the host organization and the fellow and be comparable to that of a similarly qualified attorney at the organization. If the standard salary for a comparable position exceeds $75,000 per year, the host organization is encouraged to pay the difference.

Host Organization Requirements
The host organization must be a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization must provide appropriate training and supervision by a licensed attorney and sign a formal agreement, along with the fellow, outlining its fellowship obligations. Additionally, the organization is expected to offer employee benefits typically provided to new hires.

Application Process
Before applying, applicants must identify a potential host organization and collaborate with them to develop a description of the proposed work, training, and supervision. The proposed work should include identified projects or cases, either new initiatives or ongoing environmental justice projects of the sponsoring organization. The host must commit to supporting the project and providing appropriate supervision throughout the fellowship. Students with questions about potential sponsoring organizations or projects are welcome to contact Professor Kelly Haragan, director of the Environmental Clinic, and Mary Murphy, public interest career counselor in the Career Services Office.

Eligibility
The fellowship is open only to Texas Law students and alumni. Applicants must be either (1) third-year law students or (2) recent graduates completing one- or two-year judicial clerkships undertaken immediately following graduation. A faculty committee will select the fellow based on the strength of the proposed project, the applicant’s commitment to public service, and the demonstrated ability of the applicant and host organization to achieve the project’s goals.

Preferences
Preference will be given to fellowship applicants proposing to work in Texas with organizations that have recently partnered with Texas Law’s Environmental Clinic, including, but not limited to, a Texas legal aid organization, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Save Our Springs Alliance, and Bayou City Waterkeeper.