Nonprofit Recruiting for JDs
The legal teams at most non-profit organizations have staff levels comparable to small or mid-level law firms -- in a sense, they are boutique firms, just with much less lucrative practices. Some of the groups in this Guide have full-time staffs of a dozen people or less, and the primary legal duties might be handled by just one or two attorneys who spend as much, if not more, time managing research associates or coordinating pro bono volunteers as they do litigating or lobbying. Employment opportunities at these smaller organizations are usually few and far between, and even the larger groups have to choose new hires carefully to fit within their limited budget capabilities. So how do you get your foot in the door?
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- Keep your eyes peeled for job announcements. Check the organization's web site frequently for new positions and vacancies. Be prepared to apply as soon as you learn that a suitable job has become available.
- If you can come up with a proposal that identifies a clear objective in line with a non-profit's broader goals and outlines the steps you're prepared to take to achieve it, many groups will gladly sponsor your application for a one- to two-year fellowship from philanthropic institutions. In addition, larger non-profits with generous donors, like the American Civil Liberties Union, are able to create their own fellowship programs.
- Consider a summer internship. The pay will be minimal at best, but you'll gain valuable experience in the field, and research or advocacy projects are often suitable for academic credit.
- Push your networking and schmoozing talents to their limits. If you're serious about working in a non-profit's given field, chances are that you're already doing related work in your extracurricular activities. Grow your list of contacts. Make sure they know you're serious about your career plans, and don't be afraid to work them for a reference or introduction to somebody at your target organization.
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