AFSCME - American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (Summer 2026)

Office of the General Counsel
Washington, DC

This is the summer 2026 fellowship description for this mentor organization.

AFSCME is one of the largest, most diverse unions in the country, with over 1.4 million members in both the public and private sectors. AFSCME has been a leader in racial, gender, LGBTQIA+, social and economic justice movements within the labor movement and society at large. AFSCME’s members provide vital public services that make America happen. We are health care providers, childcare providers, school/university staff, library and museum workers, EMTs, sanitation workers, maintenance and transportation workers, protective and social service workers, and more: If it’s a public service, AFSCME members deliver it!

As a union, we advocate for fairness in the workplace, improved wages and benefits, good government, excellence in public services, inclusivity and prosperity for all working people. We not only stand for fairness at the bargaining table — we fight for fairness in our communities and in the halls of government.

AFSCME has affiliates in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The International Union, based in Washington, DC, coordinates the union’s actions on major national issues and provides resources to affiliates for organizing, bargaining, political action, and member education.

Each summer, AFSCME’s Office of General Counsel hires several summer clerks, for a minimum 10-week term, who have demonstrated a commitment to social and economic justice and an excellent academic record. We ensure clerks receive a well-rounded experience which includes a variety of work, professional development, and social and educational programs and outings.

Clerks will assist the Office of the General Counsel in providing in-house legal representation to AFSCME International and its affiliates throughout the country. Our work includes assisting in initiating and defending litigation before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and administrative agencies to safeguard the interests of the union and its members, as well as assisting in providing non-litigation counsel on diverse matters such as organizing campaigns, legislative and policy advocacy, campaign finance and political law, pensions and employee benefits, and internal union governance. In addition to traditional issues of labor and employment law, the Office confronts numerous questions of constitutional law including matters related to the First Amendment.

Law clerks will work full-time (40 hours/week) and will be paid at a rate of $26 per hour. The fellowship will be in-person in our Washington, D.C. office located near the Farragut North metro station.

AFSCME is an equal opportunity employer and individuals with diverse backgrounds, identities and experiences are encouraged to apply.

In addition to the basic application requirements (cover letter, application form, essays, resume), applicants for this fellowship must also include two writing samples and a transcript.

Address cover letter to:

Hiring Committee
ATTN: Michael Artz, Associate General Counsel
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036