The Pelican Institute for Public Policy is hiring a law clerk for a 6-week program during 2025. The ideal candidate has an interest in public interest litigation, is unafraid of challenging the status quo, and has a passion for making Louisiana a great place to live and work. Dates for this program are somewhat flexible, and we can work around other clerkship commitments. 

About Pelican Institute

The Pelican Institute’s mission is to research and develop policy solutions to address the most significant barriers to opportunity in Louisiana. We educate the public about the benefits of individual liberty and free enterprise, turning great ideas into power policy solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. 

At the Pelican Institute, we believe Louisiana is the best and most unique place in the world. Louisianans live life to the fullest and exude a joie de vivre envied the world around. And yet, too many are left behind or driven to other places by misguided policies. Our state should be a place where people of all talents, interests, and backgrounds can succeed with hard work and ingenuity. We want everyone to live, work, and prosper in a state where communities flourish and good opportunities abound. To fulfill this mission, the Pelican Institute engages in litigation, research, storytelling, persuasion, and talent.

About the Center for Justice

The Pelican Institute’s Center for Justice is Louisiana’s pro bono, free market litigation center. We are dedicated to ensuring the rights of Louisiana’s working families are protected in state and federal courts by advancing pro-freedom public interest litigation. Our attorneys are particularly interested in challenging Louisiana’s overly burdensome occupational licensing regime, government union power, and administrative overreach at state and federal levels.

Litigation Clerkship Program

This paid program will provide clerks with significant in-person, hands-on legal experiences that will expose them to the principles of public interest litigation to help them determine whether a career in public interest is right for them. You will be assigned direct litigation experience, which could include brief writing and editing, discovery participation, deposition participation, moot court participation, attending oral arguments, drafting research memoranda, and interacting with clients. Clerks will receive a $12,500 stipend. 

Requirements for Applicants

• Grade of B or better in Constitutional Law
• Provide a resume, writing sample, and cover letter explaining your interest in free market, public interest litigation
• Provide 2 references who can attest to your character and work product
• Top 40% of class
• Availability for 6 consecutive weeks during 2025 (dates are somewhat flexible)
• Minimum of 3 days per week in person in our Baton Rouge or New Orleans office