Summer 2026 Investigative Fellowship | Civil Rights Corps
Investigative Fellows – Summer 2026
Salary: $60,500 minimum, commensurate with experience
Position type: Nonexempt, union
Location: Washington, DC or remote
Start date: Summer 2026
About Us
Civil Rights Corps (CRC) is a non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2016, CRC challenges wealth-based and race-based systems of oppression. We work to shift power to community-led movements, particularly those led by Black and Brown people who are most affected by this legal system, so they can build sufficient power to create structural change. We work with individuals accused and convicted of crimes, their families and communities, people currently or formerly incarcerated, activists, organizers, judges, and government officials to challenge mass human caging, to create a legal system that promotes equality and human freedom, and to dismantle white supremacy. Civil Rights Corps engages in advocacy and public education and specializes in innovative, systemic civil rights litigation with the goal of re-sensitizing the legal system and our culture to the injustice and brutality that characterize the contemporary U.S. legal system.
CRC has won groundbreaking litigation challenging the rise of debtors’ prisons, abusive private probation schemes, and wealth-based pre-trial detention. CRC works closely with community partners and is committed to fundamentally transforming the criminal system. CRC’s staff is comprised of passionate and dedicated advocates with a profound commitment to social justice and fighting inequality in all its forms.
Job Description
Civil Rights Corps is seeking Investigative Fellows (Investigator/Paralegal) to join our team and work towards a legal system that promotes equality and freedom. Fellows work collaboratively with case teams in support of complex civil rights litigation in federal and state courts. Their work varies and pulls on the skills of an investigator and paralegal, and will often involve working closely with and supporting local organizers and their campaigns. They are a crucial part of our impact litigation and advocacy challenging mass human caging and a range of other injustices within the criminal legal system. This is an entry-level two-year position at CRC.
Job duties include:
- Work collaboratively with case teams on fact development by conducting internet and technology based research, requesting and reviewing public records, conducting on-the-ground investigation, interviewing witnesses and clients, and completing related tasks;
- Provide comprehensive litigation support (including exhibit preparation, witness management, document management, etc.) in preparation for, and during, proceedings in federal and state court;
- Cite check, format, file and serve litigation documents such as complaints, briefs, motions, declarations, discovery requests and responses, and correspondence;
- Review and analyze discovery production and other litigation documents; organize large quantities of documents by creating summaries, charts, or data analyses;
- Maintain case files, attorney correspondence files, databases, litigation docket and calendar;
- Communicate and build rapport with clients and witnesses;
- Ensure timely responses to inquiries, utilize and maintain intake databases and tracking systems.
- Assist with settlement administration.
Other duties may include:
- Conduct research for policy and advocacy documents;
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, organizers, coalition members, and legal allies;
- Support community partners/stakeholders and coalitions to advocate for policy changes affecting their communities consistent with CRC’s mission and ability;
- Support storytelling campaigns related to our cases, including by drafting op-eds, political education materials, and other written content, and tracking relevant media coverage.
- Some travel will be required, consistent with case needs.
Qualifications
The ideal fellow is passionate about social justice, hard-working, a fast learner, proactive, able to juggle multiple tasks, and at ease in a collaborative environment. This is an entry-level two-year position. Specific qualifications we are looking for include:
- Commitment to the mission, purpose, and values of CRC, including an unwillingness to accept things as they are;
- Ability to work well in teams;
- Highly organized and diligent work ethic;
- Ability to understand and navigate issues of identity, power and privilege with clients, partners, and colleagues;
- Lived experience with, or experience working with people who are directly impacted by, systems of oppression, including the criminal legal system, policing, the child “welfare” or family regulation system, or immigration system;
- Care and respect for people who are system-involved;
- Ability to take initiative, establish priorities, work independently, and achieve objectives with minimal supervision;
- Strong analytical, writing, and research skills;
- Previous cite checking experience is a plus;
- Experience with Westlaw and The Bluebook is a plus;
- Fluency in verbal and written Spanish is a plus.
This is an entry-level two year position at CRC. This entry-level fellowship is designed for individuals without a JD and who are not currently enrolled in law school.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time position beginning in summer 2026; preference will be given to candidates based in or willing to relocate to Washington, D.C., but remote candidates will be considered. The Fellow will receive excellent benefits, including full health care coverage, unlimited paid time off, public transportation, and relocation benefits. Washington Baltimore News Guild, the CRC union, represents this position. The position will be paid a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The beginning salary for this position is currently $60,500. The position is also eligible for overtime pay. This is a two year term limited position.
Application Requirements
To apply, please submit the following to jobs@civilrightscorps.org, with your name and “Investigative Fellow 2026” in the subject line:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample (under 5 pages)
- Two references
Applications will be reviewed as they are received on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications submitted before Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
