Regional Housing Legal Services (“RHLS”) seeks to sponsor applicants for project-based postgraduate legal fellowships to start in the Fall of 2026. Applicants should be law students graduating in the Spring of 2026, current law clerks or other recent law school graduates. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to economic and racial justice. This position will be located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Remote positions may be considered subject to the terms of the fellowship program and at the discretion of RHLS.

All staff members are responsible for the proper execution of their duties and for dealing with our clients and visitors in a professional and pleasant manner. Dependability, trustworthiness, confidentiality, and competence are required for all staff.

To obtain a project-based fellowship, an applicant and RHLS will propose a project idea to fellowship funders such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, and the Independence Foundation. The purpose of an applicant’s application to RHLS pursuant to this job posting, is to allow RHLS to select a candidate to support in the fellowship funding process. Examples of past RHLS fellowship projects include projects focused on promoting equitable housing development, leveraging new affordable housing funding sources, and ending chronic street homelessness.

Applicants are welcome and encouraged to propose their own project ideas (and may do so in their cover letter). However, applying with a proposal is not required.

Organizational Background

RHLS’s mission is to work alongside communities in the fight to create and protect safe, affordable homes. We provide legal representation for groups serving those with low incomes, share knowledge, unite partners and advocate for policy changes.

Our vision is simple: a future where everyone regardless of income, race, identity, or background has a safe, affordable home in a place they want to live.

RHLS attorneys provide transactional legal counsel to nonprofit and community organizations working on a wide variety of community based real estate development activities—from new construction of affordable rental developments, preservation of publicly subsidized affordable rental communities, manufactured housing communities, community land trusts, home ownership opportunities and equitable community development such as federally qualified health centers. RHLS has offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and we assist clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania. RHLS is a specialty legal services program within the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN).

RHLS offers fellows the unique opportunity to develop deep knowledge and expertise in public interest transactional legal services. We are one of few public interest organizations in the country to provide this experience. RHLS attorneys do not litigate or represent individuals. Therefore, RHLS is not compatible with prospective fellows who are primarily interested in courtroom work, litigation or individual representation.

RHLS staff have a hybrid schedule with a mix of in-office and at-home workdays.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school by Fall 2026
• Passed or sat for the Pennsylvania Bar by Fall 2026 (or otherwise eligible for admission)
• Demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice.
• The ability to work with racially and economically diverse groups with varied experiences and perspectives.
• Strong interest in housing justice and public interest transactional law.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and zealously represent clients.
• Keen analytical and organizational skills, strong drafting skills and a recognized attention to detail.
• Capacity to work effectively in both in-person and remote office settings.
• Ability to independently complete simple legal tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. With strong supervision, provide high-quality legal assistance to eligible clients through advice and counsel, negotiation, drafting of legal documents, and community education.
2. Establish a positive, effective, professional relationship with clients in a way that fosters client trust and confidence.
3. Develop an understanding and working knowledge of one or more areas of housing and poverty law.
4. Provide and accept training, mentoring and supervision to and from other staff.
5. Work cooperatively with other staff members and participate actively within the program on issues of importance.
6. Acquire, maintain and seek to improve written and oral advocacy skills.
7. Act in accordance with program policies and procedures, performance standards and funding source requirements.
8. Such other duties that are reasonably related to the staff attorney’s job functions and which may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Housing Development Services, the Supervising Attorney or the Executive Director as the case may be.

Compensation

The salary for the position will be determined by the fellowship funding source. Please reference the webpages for each funding source for salary information.

Unless otherwise specified by the funding source, the fellow will receive RHLS’s full generous employee benefits package, including fully funded health insurance (no premiums) for employees, their partners, and children up to age 26 (if not otherwise covered); 15 days of vacation in the first year of service; 13 holidays; 15 sick days; 4 days of personal leave; an employer 403(b) starting at 5% (no match required) after six months of employment, and employer-paid short-term and long-term disability policies.

Application Process & Deadlines

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, list of 2-3 references, and writing sample (of no more than 6 pages) to Kim Dolan (kim.dolan@rhls.org) with “Legal Fellowship” in the subject line. We will review applications on a rolling basis; however, preference will be given to applications received by July 21, 2025.

RHLS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. We seek to build diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our organization and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve. We are eager to receive applications from all interested applicants, including People of Color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people from poor and working-class backgrounds or who have experienced housing insecurity, and people with disabilities. We invite all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal practice.