Supreme Court Program Fellow
Company: UNC-Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Position Summary The University of North Carolina School of Law
is proud to announce a prestigious fellowship opportunity with its
nationally recognized Supreme Court Program, beginning in Fall
2026. This program is one of only a handful of opportunities at
American law schools for law students to be directly involvement in
litigation before the United States Supreme Court. Since its
inception, the UNC Supreme Court Program has cultivated a
reputation for excellence in appellate advocacy. Students engage
deeply in the mechanics of Supreme Court litigation, including
identifying cert-worthy cases, drafting petitions for certiorari,
oppositions to certiorari, amicus briefs, and merits briefs. The
Program consistently files more than ten briefs per Term, and since
2019, has submitted over 30 briefs to the Court, including a
successful merits brief in McElrath v. Georgia, 601 U.S. 87 (2024).
McElrath was argued by Program Co-Director Richard Simpson,
resulting in a 9-0 victory. The Fellow will serve as counsel in
active Supreme Court litigation and will co-teach the Supreme Court
Program course, providing mentorship and supervision to students
engaged in real-world appellate practice. The fellowship includes
significant litigation responsibilities including drafting and
revising court filings, client recruitment, and strategic case
development. In performing these tasks, the Fellow will work with
Richard Simpson and may serve as counsel of record in one or more
cases, contingent on Supreme Court Bar membership. This is a
two-year fellowship, with an initial appointment for one year, and
a strong expectation of renewal. The fellowship is designed to
support both academic career preparation and professional
development. Fellows interested in pursuing a career in legal
academia will receive structured mentorship, dedicated time for
research and writing, and support in preparing for the academic job
market. Those focused on appellate litigation will gain
unparalleled experience in Supreme Court practice, positioning them
for elite roles in government, private practice, or public interest
Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience * Experience
in appellate litigation * Bar membership in good standing in any
U.S. jurisdiction Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And
Experience * Supreme Court practice experience and membership in
the Supreme Court Bar are strongly preferred but not required.
Keywords: UNC-Chapel Hill, Durham , Supreme Court Program Fellow, Legal , Chapel Hill, North Carolina
