The Metropolitan Public Defender (MPD) seeks to sponsor one or more applicants pursuing externally-funded, school-based post-graduate legal fellowships to begin in Fall 2026. This opportunity is intended for candidates applying through their law schools for fellowships such as clinical, public interest, or postgraduate fellowships administered or funded by academic institutions. Our fellows will work closely with MPD attorneys, legal assistants, case managers, and community partners, and will engage with the broader legal and local community around issues relevant to the fellowship project. Positions are in-person and based out of either MPD’s Portland or Hillsboro office.
MPD will work collaboratively with selected candidates to develop a project-based fellowship proposal for submission to the candidate’s law school or other academic funding source that responds to unmet legal needs of MPD clients and community members. While MPD does not provide fellowship funding, fellows are eligible for MPD benefits.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Applicants must be eligible for and intend to apply for externally funded, school-based fellowship programs and meet the following criteria:
- Law student graduating in Spring 2026
- Current law clerk, or
- Recent law school graduate
Strong applicants will have:
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills
- Strong oral advocacy and communication abilities
- Initiative, creativity, and sound judgment
- A demonstrated commitment to public defense, racial justice, and client-centered advocacy
- Ability to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary environment
- Membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar, or eligibility and intent to obtain Oregon Bar admission, preferred.
- Bilingual capabilities, particularly Spanish, are a plus.
Application Process
MPD will review applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.
To apply, please submit the following materials to fellowships@mpdlaw.com with the subject line “MPD JOBS: Fellowship Sponsorship“
- Cover letter (including a brief description of a proposed fellowship project)
- Resume
- Legal writing sample
- Law school transcript
- Three (3) References
Sample Project Ideas
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects aligned with MPD’s holistic defense and community advocacy goals. Sample project ideas include, but are not limited to:
- Special Education Advocacy
Providing legal advocacy and support for children represented by MPD and their families in special education matters, including IEP development, school discipline, and access to appropriate educational services.
- Know Your Rights & Early Defense Community Education
Developing and delivering community-based “Know Your Rights” programming, with a focus on pre-charging and pre-petition representation and early defense education, aimed at empowering individuals and families before criminal legal system involvement escalates.
- Conditions of Confinement: Medical Care and Access in Jails and Prisons
Evaluating jail conditions by identifying systemic barriers to timely and adequate medical care and treatment including individual advocacy to safeguard the health, dignity, and legal rights of incarcerated people.
- Policy Advocacy
MPD is a leader in Oregon for statewide and local policy in public defense, community-based programs, and related areas. A fellow could assist leaders with this work, including research, analysis, reports, and communication strategy.
- Civil Advocacy for Parents and Children
Increasing access to civil legal advocacy for parents and children involved in the child welfare system and addressing collateral consequences impacting families.
- Reentry Civil Legal Services
Expanding access to civil legal services for individuals reentering the community after incarceration, including assistance with housing stability, benefits access, employment barriers, record relief, and other collateral consequences.
- Immigrant Advocacy
Rapid response work to meet urgent needs as they develop including screening detained noncitizens for legal options and strengthening the knowledge of detained advocacy.
Applicants are welcome to propose alternative or hybrid project ideas that align with MPD’s mission and address community-identified needs.
