Summer Law Clerk

The Network for Public Health Law (networkforphl.org), with the support of its fiscal sponsor, TSNE, is a national organization providing leadership, legal technical assistance and educational resources to help public health practitioners, attorneys, policy makers, researchers, advocates, and communities develop, implement, and enforce laws to solve public health challenges.

The Network is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org).

Law clerks assist attorneys with providing legal technical assistance and developing tools and educational materials on public health law topics, with primary focus areas varying by region/project. The Harm Reduction Legal Project (the Project) Law Clerk will focus on our work addressing legal and policy barriers that impede the establishment and expansion of evidence-based harm reduction measures such as naloxone distribution, syringe access programs, and access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment.

The Project provides guidance and consultation to governmental and nongovernmental organizations as well as impacted individuals to assist them in navigating the often extremely confusing maze of existing laws and regulations that hamper harm reduction initiatives. The Project also creates non-partisan, evidence-based publications and training regarding the state of laws impacting individuals who use drugs, individuals in recovery, and their communities, as well as research regarding the impact of those laws.

The position will consist of research, legal analysis, and strategic guidance to a) providers attempting to operate within existing laws and b) advocates seeking to modify or remove legal restrictions on harm reduction initiatives.

Law Clerks will have opportunities to hone their legal research and writing skills and will gain experience with communicating legal concepts to non-legal audiences. The Network will also provide projects and opportunities that will build Law Clerks’ general knowledge of public health law and foster connections in the field.

By the end of the summer, all Law Clerks will have prepared at least one Law and Policy Insights article for publication on the Network’s website. Law Clerks will have an opportunity to present their article (or other work product of their choice) to Network staff at the end of the summer.

Essential Functions

Legal Technical Assistance

• Participate in preparing timely, high-quality, practical, and relevant technical assistance in multiple areas of public health law.

Resource Development

• Assist with the development of practical or scholarly Network resources for public health practitioners, attorneys, policy advocates, and other interested persons.

Public Health Law Professional Development and Training

• Engage in student-focused public health law training and education opportunities, including training sessions provided by Network experts;
• Participate in professional development programming including regular meetings with the Clerk’s assigned supervisor/mentor; one-on-one informational interviews with other Network attorneys; and networking opportunities with fellow Law Clerks.

Outreach and Relationship-Building

• Engage with public health and legal experts associated with the Network for Public Health Law and its partners.

Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

• The start date is flexible, but we hope to have Law Clerks begin approximately May 18, 2026.
• We expect Law Clerks to commit to 9-11 weeks of temporary full-time work.
• All work will be completed remotely; candidates should be confident in a remote working environment.
• Law Clerks must have reliable, full-time access to a computer for this position. However, if gaining access to a computer presents an obstacle to employment, the Network will work to support access to necessary equipment.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to health equity and social justice;
• Rising 2L and 3L students with a strong interest in harm reduction law and drug policy advocacy are encouraged to apply.
• Individuals with lived experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed remote.

Schedule: Temporary Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Compensation: The starting hourly pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/hr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

TSNE/NPHL strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/NPHL prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/NPHL celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/NPHL's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.