PRIVACY LAW FELLOWSHIPS
Fellowships are a great way for recent law school graduates to launch a career in privacy law. Fortunately, an increasing number of fellowship opportunities are emerging. This page contains a list of fellowships related to privacy law.
For students interested in pursuing a career in privacy law, I also maintain the following relevant pages:
- How to Enter the Privacy Profession
- Privacy Law Internships for Law Students
- Privacy Law Entry-Level and Junior Job Opportunities
FELLOWSHIPS AT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Description: The IAPP Westin Fellowship Program was created in 2013 to encourage and enable research and scholarship in the field of privacy. Applicants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Previous research, coursework or experience in privacy law, information technology, sociology, marketing or business may be useful. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or be authorized to work in the U.S. The one-year fellowship generally begins and ends in August.
Approximately half of the time will be devoted to selected research topics, the other half focusing on substantive IAPP projects. Fellows are present in the IAPP office working closely with the Research and Publication teams. Occasional travel to IAPP events will be part of the fellowship experience. A white paper, research report, academic article or similar publishable deliverable may be completed as part of the fellowship. All work product is expected to be of very high quality, appropriate for publication through professional or academic channels, as well as useful to practicing privacy professionals.
Location: Remote or Portsmouth, NH
Application: Application instructions can be found here. Contact research@iapp.org with questions.
PRIVATE SECTOR FELLOWSHIPS
TeachPrivacy Data Privacy Law Fellowship
Description: The TeachPrivacy Data Privacy Law Fellowship is a part-time fellowship for recent law school graduates.
TeachPrivacy is a computer-based training company founded and run by Professor Daniel Solove. TeachPrivacy produces privacy and security compliance training for hundreds of companies, hospitals, health plans, universities, government agencies, and other organizations around the world, including many Fortune 500 multinationals.
Data Privacy Law Fellows help Professor Daniel Solove research, draft, and update scripts for training courses and do research for resources, guides, and other materials. TeachPrivacy has 150+ courses on various federal, state, and international privacy laws (GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA, GLBA, CCPA, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, CASL, LGPD, and many more). Fellows also assist with researching new developments in the law to keep scripts up-to-date. Additionally, fellows help with researching for blog posts and with the company’s social media. Generally, Professor Solove hires recent graduates who have taken a privacy law class or who have otherwise acquired a background in privacy law.
Requirements:
- JD at US law school or foreign law school
- Strong interest in privacy issues
- Desire to pursue a career in privacy law
Recommended:
- Information privacy law coursework
- Experience in privacy law (internships, etc.)
Location: Remote
Duration: The Fellowship has no formal duration, but most fellows work for 6-18 months.
Application: To apply, please send your resume and transcript to inquiry@teachprivacy.com.
Description: The ZwillGen Fellow position is for attorneys who have graduated from law school (or will have by June 2024), taken the bar exam (or plan to do so before or near their start date), and are new entrants into the workforce as full-time attorneys. The Fellow billable hour requirement is set low (1,200 hours per year) to enable Fellows to have time to attend regulatory or legislative hearings, meetings and events, and to leave time for pursuit of individual areas of interest, such as writing substantive articles, or meaningfully participating in working groups created by external organizations such as the Future of Privacy Forum, CDT, IAPP or other civil society organizations.
Following the 12-month Fellowship, Fellows may be invited to join ZwillGen in a full-time attorney role and/or will be provided significant assistance in finding their next position.
Applicants must have a zeal for all things technology and have taken some relevant classes in law school on technology-related subjects such as data privacy, cybersecurity, cyber-surveillance, Artificial Intelligence, AdTech, FinTech, EdTech, copyright, mobile applications, or blockchain. Experience working with a technology company, privacy or civil liberties organization, or relevant regulatory agency is a plus. Although the Firm does some copyright-related work, that is not the firm’s focus and candidates interested primarily in IP law are discouraged from applying.
ZwillGen Fellows work closely with ZwillGen attorneys on a variety of cutting edge and legally challenging Internet privacy, security, e-commerce, and surveillance issues. We provide counseling to our clients but also assist with litigation, FTC and State AG investigations, and data breaches. Because ZwillGen Fellows wear a variety of hats, we are looking for fellows that are not only able to provide high-quality legal analysis in a concise and cogent manner, but also who are motivated and enthusiastic, embrace a fast-paced and lively environment, and are eager to learn new things. A good sense of humor and a desire to work hard and have fun are a must. Fellows are expected to engage in client development, speaking and writing engagements, blogging, marketing, assisting with development of firm forms and precedent materials, and generally helping out around the firm.
Location: Washington, D.C. Typically, the program is centered in ZwillGen’s Washington, D.C. office. While we also maintain offices in California, New York, and Chicago, ZwillGen’s Fellowship Program is intended for candidates who are located in or willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area. Fellows will likely be expected to work in the D.C. office 3-4 days per week, although this requirement is subject to change depending on firm policy at the time the Fellowship begins.
Duration: 12 months
Compensation: A salary of $100,000-$110,000, commensurate with experience.
Application: Qualified and interested candidates should submit to fellowship@zwillgen.com, at a minimum, a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and professional references. Feel free to also include something different that will make your application stand out and help demonstrate your problem-solving creativity.
Screening interviews will likely be conducted remotely, and final interviews may be conducted remotely or in person.
The deadline to submit applications is Friday, September 15, 2023, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before then so we encourage early submission. Applications submitted after the deadline may still be considered at our discretion.
ACADEMIA FELLOWSHIPS
Berkman Center for Internet & Society General Fellowship
Description: The Berkman Center Fellowship begins in September and continues until May, although individuals may be able to extend for additional terms. Fellows generally work on Internet issues.
Application: Application instructions can be found here: https://cyber.harvard.edu/getinvolved/fellowships/apply
Location: Cambridge, MA
Harvard University Privacy Tools Project
Description: The Privacy Tools Project develops ways for scientists to share research data for producing open, replicable science without compromising the privacy of the individual research subjects whose data is used. Past students have written and contributed to publishable research papers in this fast-moving field, and we expect the same in future years.
Prospective Legal Research Assistants – The Privacy Tools team at the Berkman Klein Center regularly seeks law students at the start of each semester to help with research and analysis on privacy law and policy issues. Under the direction of project team leaders, student tasks may include researching and writing short memoranda on selected topics in law, summarizing recent publications in professional journals, and attending lectures and events with the larger project team. For more information, please visit: https://privacytools.seas.harvard.edu/students-interns-postdocs-and-visitors
Summer Research The Berkman Klein Center looks for law students to help the Privacy Tools Project research data privacy issues. Successful applicants will participate in the Berkman Klein Center’s full time, 10-week summer internship program. Applications are typically due in early February. For more information, please visit: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/getinvolved/internships_summer.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Contact: privacytools-info@seas.harvard.edu
NYU Information Law Institute Research Fellowship
Description: Student members of Privacy Research Group have the opportunity to become Student Fellows. Student Fellows help bring the exciting developments and ideas of the Research Group to the outside world. The primary Student Fellow responsibility is to maintain an active web presence through the ILI student blog, reporting on current events and developments in the privacy field and bringing the world of privacy research to a broader audience. Fellows also have the opportunity to help promote and execute exciting events and colloquia, and even present to the Privacy Research Group. Student Fellow responsibilities are a manageable and enjoyable addition to the regular meeting attendance required of all PRG members. The Student Fellow position is the first step for NYU students into the world of privacy research.
Fellows are expected to reside in the New York area, participate in Information Law Institute activities, attend weekly meetings of ILI’s multidisciplinary Privacy Research Group, and participate in regular Fellows’ meetings. They will also have ample opportunity to interact with faculty in the School of Law and other departments at NYU, and to take part in the lively intellectual life of the university and New York City.
Application: Interested students should email Student Fellow Coordinator Nicholas Tilmes with a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement of interest or for more information.
Contact: Further information about the ILI and the Privacy Research Group can be found at http://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/ili/index.htm.
U. Penn Center for Technology, Innovation
and Competition Fellowship
Description: CTIC Fellows, who receive an entire year of funding from the National Science Foundation and may apply for renewal, will complete at least one original piece of writing and teach one class for every year of funding. They will also be involved in drafting CTIC reports. Although this fellowship is billed as ‘postdoctorate,’ JD’s are welcome to apply.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Application: Applicants should submit the following materials to Caroline Olson, Managing Director of CTIC, at cmolson@law.upenn.edu:
- Detailed research proposal (no more than 2,500 words)
- Writing sample(s)
- Curriculum vitae
- Law school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation
Contact: cmolson@law.upenn.edu
PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIPS
ACLU William J. Brennan Fellowship
Description: William J. Brennan Fellowship – The ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time two-year fellowship position in the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY.
The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists’ rights, scientific and academic freedom, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.
The Brennan Fellowship, established by a special gift from author Tom Peters and poet Catherine Abbe and named after retired Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, was created to give people just starting their careers an opportunity to receive training and experience in First Amendment advocacy, and to help the ACLU advance its First Amendment goals. The Brennan Fellow will function as an integral part of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, and will work on our extensive docket of First and Fourth Amendment cases. View job description here.
Location: New York, NY
Compensation: The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department.
Application: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by October 1, 2023. Apply here.
Contact: View job description here.
Description: The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)’s Fellows program is an opportunity for academics to engage directly with and inform our policy work. Our Fellows represent a wide range of academic fields and disciplines, reflecting the tremendous impact technology has on all aspects of life. CDT Fellows commit to a two-year, non-resident engagement and must be affiliated with an institution of higher education. Fellows participate in quarterly policy strategy calls and are regularly invited to join tele-briefings around emerging issues. They are also encouraged to contribute original writing to CDT’s blog and explore collaborative research projects with our policy teams. In addition to providing a platform for publishing fellows’ work, CDT commits to provide regular updates on key tech and internet policy developments, engage Fellows directly in relevant working groups, and offer expert insight relevant to research interests. All Fellows are also invited to attend CDT events, including our Annual Dinner, Tech Prom, as a our guest.
Application: For more information about the CDT Fellows program or if you’re interested in becoming a fellow, contact Natasha Duarte at nduarte@cdt.org or Brian Wesolowski at bwesolowski@cdt.org.
Description: EPIC invites outstanding applications for the 2024 EPIC Law Fellowship. EPIC encourages applications from law students graduating in 2024, recent graduates, and judicial clerks.
The EPIC Law Fellow will fill an integral role in EPIC’s Washington, DC office. The Fellow will work on various EPIC Projects in areas such as Administrative Law, Appellate Advocacy, Consumer Privacy, International Privacy, Open Government, and State Policy. Creative, highly motivated, and accomplished law school graduates are encouraged to apply.
The EPIC Law Fellowship is a one-year position to begin September 2024, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $66,000
Application: Applicants should prepare a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, and writing sample. The writing sample should be legal in nature (brief, memorandum, or research paper) and should be the applicant’s own work, not a collaborative piece or something heavily edited by someone else. Please send the complete document, not an excerpt. Letters of recommendation are welcome and encouraged, not to exceed more than two. Applications to be submitted via email should be sent to fellowship@epic.org with the subject line “EPIC Law Fellowship.” Please direct cover letters to Jeramie Scott, EPIC Senior Counsel. Although applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, we recommend applicants submit their materials by September 30, 2023 to ensure consideration.
FPF Remote Student Contractor Positions
Description: The Future of Privacy Forum (“FPF”) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. FPF brings together industry, academics, consumer advocates, and other thought leaders to explore the challenges posed by technological innovation and develop privacy protections, ethical norms and workable business practices. FPF helps fill the void in the “space not occupied by law” which exists due to the speed of technology development. As “data optimists,” we believe that the power of data for good is a net benefit to society, and that it can be well-managed to control risks and offer the best protections and empowerment to consumers and individuals.
FPF’s youth & education project seeks remote student contractors to support the team. Contractors often do the following types of projects:
- reviewing edtech company privacy policies when they apply for the Student Privacy Pledge and interacting with companies to bring those policies into compliance;
- conducting legal or policy research and drafting as needed;
- conducting 50 state legal surveys and write-ups;
- providing substantive notes or transcripts for FPF working group meetings;
- performing other research or administrative tasks as needed.
Compensation: Hourly rate of $20/hour
Requirements: Student contractors work 10-20 hours (potentially full-time over the summer if interested) a week. Students must be detail-oriented, excellent at interpersonal communications via email, have outstanding research abilities, and have a demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines. Privacy experience, whether through a course or through prior work, is a plus. These positions are primarily for graduate and law school students, but exceptional undergraduate students should feel free to apply.
Application: Apply here.
Deadline: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by April 1 for summer, August 1 for fall, or December 1 for spring.
FPF Legal and Policy Internships
Description: The Future of Privacy Forum (“FPF”) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. FPF brings together industry, academics, consumer advocates, and other thought leaders to explore the challenges posed by technological innovation and develop privacy protections, ethical norms and workable business practices. FPF helps fill the void in the “space not occupied by law” which exists due to the speed of technology development. As “data optimists,” we believe that the power of data for good is a net benefit to society, and that it can be well-managed to control risks and offer the best protections and empowerment to consumers and individuals.
FPF seeks legal interns to support Senior Counsels responsible for developing and evaluating data practices in the consumer and commercial sector by shaping corporate practices, engaging with regulators and government agencies, and providing thought leadership in a variety of settings. Issue portfolios may include privacy concerns related to current commercial and consumer technologies such as – but not limited to – Big Data and the Internet of Things, connected cars, student data, ad tracking, mobile location data use, smart cities, deidentification standards, algorithms, and biometrics and AI.
Location:
- Summer: Typically, FPF’s summer interns participate in a 10-week Internship Program in Washington, DC that is full-time (40 hours/week) and runs from mid-May to mid-August, and are expected to come into the office at least three days per week. Exceptional candidates may be able to work remotely.
- Fall and Spring: Fall and Spring interns are expected to be available for roughly a 10-week period, typically part-time (10+ hours/week), and typically with flexible start and end dates depending on the student’s academic calendar. In-person internships are encouraged, although there is greater flexibility during the Fall and Spring for remote work.
Compensation: Interns may choose to either complete their internship for school credit or to be paid at a rate of $20/hour during the Spring and Fall semesters. Summer interns are paid at a rate of $2,500 per month, pro-rated for partial months of work.
Duration: Internship start and end dates are flexible.
Application: To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to HR@fpf.org. Applications accepted on a rolling basis and are generally due two months before the internship would begin.
FPF Elise Berkower Memorial Fellowship
Description: FPF works to advance responsible data practices. Staffed with experts in law, technology, and public policy, FPF operates on the belief that technological innovation and new uses of data can help solve big societal problems and improve lives. Technological innovation must be accompanied by fresh privacy thinking, so that it is possible to build a world where technological innovation and privacy can coexist. We work to reach consensus on ethical norms, policies, and business practices to address new privacy challenges. This Fellowship is designed to equip recent law school graduates with the skills to succeed in the privacy law profession, and to provide private and public employers with privacy professionals of exceptional knowledge, understanding, and commitment to privacy and individuals.
The Elise Berkower Fellowship was established in memory of Elise Berkower with support from the Nielsen Foundation. Elise was a senior privacy executive at global measurement and data analytics company Nielsen for nearly a decade and was a valued, longtime member of the FPF Advisory Board. The fellowship is a one-year, public interest position for recent law school graduates committed to the advancement of responsible data practices. Candidates are selected based on both academic qualifications and a commitment to the personal qualities exemplified by Elise – collaboration with co-workers, peers and the broader privacy community and a commitment to ethical conduct.
The Elise Berkower Fellow focuses on consumer and commercial privacy issues, from technology-specific areas such as advertising practices, drones, wearables, connected cars, and student privacy, to general data management and privacy issues related to ethics, de-identification, algorithms, and the Internet of Things.
Responsibilities:
- filing comments on proposed regulatory actions;
- developing industry best practices or standards; and
- tracking consumer privacy legislation.
Requirements:
- Demonstrated interest in public policy work generally and specifically in the areas of data privacy, technology, and Internet policy;
- Strong academic record, participation in professional/volunteer activities, subject matter expertise in the relevant skills;
- Commitment to ethical practices;
- Demonstration of interpersonal qualities that show support for colleagues, peers and a broader community;
- Superb legal writing and research skills;
- Ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment; and
- Commitment and ability to fulfill the one-year term required by the program.
Location: Washington, DC
Application: Send a cover letter and resume to applications@fpf.org
FPF Christopher Wolf Diversity Law Fellowship
Description: FPF established the Christopher Wolf Diversity Law Fellowship in dedication to the vision and commitment of Christopher Wolf, founder of the Future of Privacy Forum. Chris Wolf is widely recognized as a pioneer in Internet law. This Fellowship is also in recognition of Chris’ dedication to diversity and non-discrimination. Chris has worked throughout his life to fight discrimination, bigotry, and bias. He is a national leader of the Anti-Defamation League, leading an international fight against online hate. He has also been a leader of NGOs committed to serving diverse people in need and to promoting equality, and his law practice has included a variety of pro bono cases.
The Wolf Fellowship actively seeks applicants of diverse races and color, people of diverse national origins, LGBTQIA persons, and women. The Wolf Fellowship is distinguished by its commitment to bring diverse perspectives to FPF’s work on contemporary privacy issues. The Wolf Fellow will focus on consumer and commercial privacy issues, from technology-specific areas such as drones, wearables, connected cars, and student privacy, to general data management and privacy issues related to ethics, deidentification, algorithms, and the Internet of Things. Responsibilities may include filing comments on proposed regulatory actions, researching and analyzing US and European privacy issues, developing industry best practices or standards, and tracking consumer privacy legislation.
The Wolf Fellowship is a two-year fellowship for recent law school graduates committed to the advancement of personal privacy and interested in data management, advancing technology, and Internet policy. It will be located in FPF’s Washington, DC office.
Location: Washington, DC
Application: Send a cover letter and resume to applications@fpf.org
Google Public Policy Fellowships
Description: Google annually sponsors summer fellowships with an array of privacy-related policy organizations such as the Center for Democracy and Technology, Access Now, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and many others.
Location: Varies depending on the host organization.
Compensation:Host organizations will provide a stipend of $12,000 USD for each full-time fellow (40 hours/week), and a stipend of $6,000 USD for each part-time fellow (20 hours/week).
Application: Online applications vary depending on the host organization.
Contact: policyfellows@google.com
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Description: Part-time paid fellowship opportunities for graduate/law students interested in furthering their career development in a policy advocacy organization. They are offering 4 fellowship opportunities:
Public Sector – The Public Sector manages ITI’s advocacy in the United States on government procurement policies and practices at the federal and state levels. The Public Sector team seeks a qualified graduate student interested in tech policy to further their academic and career development in a policy advocacy organization.
Government Affairs – The Government Affairs team manages ITI’s advocacy and lobbying efforts in the United States with focusing on a broad spectrum of tech policy areas and Congressional activity. The Government Affairs team seeks a qualified graduate student interested in tech policy to further their academic and career development in a policy advocacy organization.
Policy – Americas – The Policy team manages ITI’s policy engagement and advocacy around the world on a range of issues related to the tech industry, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and U.S. markets. The Americas Policy team seeks a qualified graduate student interested in Western Hemisphere or tech policy to further their academic and career development in a policy advocacy organization.
Policy – Environment & Sustainability and Regulatory – The Policy team manages ITI’s policy engagement and advocacy around the world on a range of issues related to the tech industry, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and U.S. markets. The Policy team seeks a qualified graduate student interested in environment and sustainability policies to further their academic and career development in a policy advocacy organization.
Location: Washington DC
Application: Apply here.
GOVERNMENT FELLOWSHIPS
DHS Secretary’s Honors Program
Description: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Honors Attorneys are hired for a two-year term beginning in October in which they will experience six-month rotations (one is at DHS headquarters in one of the Office of General Counsel’s divisions: Immigration, General Law, Intelligence, Legal Counsel, Technology Programs, Regulatory Affairs, Ethics, Operation and Enforcement, and National Protection and Programs and three others will be at different OGC components—FEMA, TSA, USCIS, USSS, USCG, CBP, ICE, and USCG). Candidates will gain experience in litigation, administrative law, commercial law, procurement law, legislative and regulatory drafting, maritime law, immigration law, enforcement law, and national security law during the program.
Location: Washington, DC
Application: Instructions for submitting applications can be found here: https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/honors-attorneys
Other Relevant Information: Can apply for permanent positions after 18 months and if there are special circumstances, after one year.
FBI Office of General Counsel – DOJ Honors Program
Description: The FBI’s Office of General Counsel offers entry-level positions for law school students as part of the DOJ’s Honors Program. Honors attorneys will do a two-year rotation in the following specialties: cyber law, national security law, employment law, civil litigation, fiscal and property law, science, technology, and investigative law. Immediately afterward, the Honors attorney will be placed in one of these units within the FBI’s Office of General Counsel. Applicants must pass an FBI background investigation and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Location: Washington, DC
Description: Honors attorneys will be trained for two years in communications law and policy, helping draft decisions in adjudicatory and rulemaking matters, working on international negotiations, and also representing the FCC before other government agencies, Congress, and in the private sector. Those selected will be assigned a bureau or office based upon their interests, qualifications and the FCC’s needs. Honors attorneys may be permitted to rotate within the agency once their first year is complete. After the two years, they may be considered for permanent employment at the FCC.
Location: Washington, DC
Application: Instructions for submitting applications can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/general-counsel/general/attorney-honors-program