2025 Killian O. Doherty Environmental Justice Fellowship – Europe focus

2025 Killian O. Doherty Environmental Justice Fellowship – Europe focus 

Use your legal training to support environmental justice advocates around the world.

Fellowship Overview

Location: Remote.

Timing: 8 weeks between January and May 2026 (full-time, ~40 hours/week). We are open to considering applications proposing a part-time schedule to accommodate other academic or work commitments. Please clearly describe your preferred schedule and time commitment in your application materials.

Eligibility: This is an opportunity aimed at recent graduates and early career lawyers from Europe. Applicants should have graduated from an European law school in 2022 and after. Applicants are not required to be licensed to practice law. 

The Killian Fellowship involves considerable communication in English. We encourage applicants from all European countries to apply. A B2 English proficiency level is expected. We accept IELTS, TOEFL or other European English test scores. We can also consider past enrollment in English-speaking academic courses (including Erasmus) as well as internships and work experience in English-speaking positions, as proof of English language proficiency. Please clearly describe your English proficiency level in your application materials.

Compensation: ELAW will provide $6,600 for the Fellowship.

Who We Are

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) is an international NGO, registered in Oregon as a nonprofit. At ELAW, we believe that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable—and that the best solutions come from those closest to the problem. That’s why we support a global network of public interest lawyers and scientists in 80+ countries working to protect communities and ecosystems through law.

Our legal team provides behind-the-scenes research, litigation support, and resources to grassroots lawyers fighting extractive industries, climate injustice, plastic pollution, environmental injustice, and more. As a Killian Fellow, you’ll help us expand that impact while gaining invaluable experience, mentorship, and global exposure. Learn more at www.elaw.org. 

What is the Killian O. Doherty Justice Fellowship

The Killian O. Doherty Environmental Justice Fellowship honors our colleague and friend, Killian Doherty, who exemplified true commitment to environmental justice in his personal and professional life. Together with Killian’s family, ELAW designed the Killian Fellowship to carry his legacy forward. Learn more about previous Fellows and their projects. 

A graduate of the University of Oregon Law School, as well as Georgetown University and the Universidad Nacional de General San Martin in Argentina, Killian O. Doherty was a beloved member of the team at ELAW, where he used his legal and linguistic skills to collaborate with lawyers around the world to protect communities and the environment.

What You’ll Do

The Fellowship provides an opportunity for an early career lawyer to collaborate with ELAW’s law team in supporting the work of public interest lawyers around the world working on  environmental justice issues. 

Over the course of your fellowship, you will:

• Conduct legal research and draft memos on environmental, human rights, administrative law, legal doctrines and mechanisms, and procedural rights used to address substantive issues and rights, primarily focused on domestic legal research in multiple jurisdictions;
  
• Analyze and summarize innovative laws, legal trends, and court decisions;
  
• Assist with drafting briefs, regulatory analyses, or resource updates;
  
• Participate as a collaborative member of a legal team that supports fellows through meaningful mentorship; and
  
• Contribute directly to global legal efforts advancing environmental justice.
  
  

The Fellow might be called to research international law and comparative law from any region. We expect some focus on European Union and comparative European law.

Recent research projects have included:

• Research on the legal issues important for climate protection;
  
• Legal memos on the regulation of offshore oil and gas development;
  
• Comparative analysis of global environmental impact assessment frameworks; and
  
• Updating online legal resources for use by international legal advocates.

Who Thrives in This Fellowship

Successful fellows tend to be:

• Deeply committed to public interest law, environmental justice, and human rights;
  
• Curious, meticulous researchers who write clearly and think critically;
  
• Collaborative and communicative, but self-directed in managing time and projects;
  
• Adaptable and open-minded, eager to learn across legal systems and cultures; and
  
• Multilingual or bring lived experience from frontline or underrepresented communities (preferred but not required)

What Success Looks Like

• Meaningful Legal Contribution: You complete high-quality research and writing that directly supports frontline legal partners.
  
• Growth in Legal Practice: You improve your ability to analyze complex legal issues across jurisdictions and write with clarity and advocacy in mind.
  
• Strong Mentorship Relationships: You build supportive, lasting connections with ELAW attorneys who care deeply about your growth.
  
• Clarity on Career Path: You leave with a renewed commitment to pursuing a career in the global environmental justice movement.
  
• Positive Community Impact: Your work contributes to legal tools that empower local leaders to defend their communities and ecosystems.

What Makes This Internship Unique

• Global Legal Exposure: Interns might engage with legal frameworks and partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and beyond.
  
• Hands-On Experience: This is not a siloed research position—you’ll work on live issues and real-world advocacy.
  
• Movement-Aligned Mentorship: Fellows receive clear supervision, collaborative feedback, and intentional support from multiple attorneys.
  
• A Mission-Driven Team: Our team is collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in shared values—not just expertise.
  
• Remote Flexibility with Real Connection: Fellows are included in meetings, team communications, and one-on-one check-ins.
  
• Career Trajectory:  Killian Doherty Fellows have continued their public interest careers as environmental and human rights litigators or advocates.

How to Apply

Please submit one PDF file that includes the following documents in this order:

1. Cover letter (1 page) describing your interest in ELAW and this opportunity, what you hope to gain from the fellowship, and relevant experiences or skills
   
2. Resume or CV
   
3. Legal writing sample (10 pages max)
4. Proof of English-speaking proficiency (either certificates or brief explanation of proficiency)

Apply by November 28, 2025. No phone calls, please.

Note: We may send updates via BambooHR. Please monitor your inbox (including spam/junk folders) for messages from us.

Our Commitment to Equity

We actively seek fellows from diverse backgrounds and encourage applications from those historically underrepresented in the legal field.

We recognize that lack of early career opportunities can be a barrier to many new lawyers starting or continuing public interest careers. ELAW’s Killian Fellowship hopes to offer career development opportunities to recent graduates. 

ELAW is committed to equity, inclusion, and justice in our work and in our workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, or any other protected identity.