Wardenski P.C. is a small civil rights litigation firm based in New York City that represents plaintiffs in civil rights cases around the country. The firm is seeking to host a Justice Catalyst Fellow to commence at any time during 2026. Justice Catalyst administers one-year, potentially renewable, project-based fellowships for graduating law students, or graduates up to two years out of law school. We are seeking inquiries from current third-year law students and recent law school graduates (graduation date of December 2023 or later) who are interested in applying for a fellowship at the firm. The firm will work with the selected candidate to develop and submit a project proposal to Justice Catalyst during its current fellowship application cycle.

About Wardenski P.C.

Wardenski P.C., founded in 2021, is a mission-centered civil rights law firm that combats discrimination in education, housing, and health care, with a significant focus on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. We represent individuals and organizations challenging unlawful discrimination in both federal and state courts. We routinely co-counsel with national civil rights organizations and other plaintiff-side law firms in litigating our cutting-edge public interest cases across the country. In addition to our litigation practice, we provide strategic legal advice and consulting services to nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to civil rights and equality.

Wardenski P.C.’s current litigation docket includes the following cases:

• Talbott v. United States (D.D.C. & D.C. Cir.) (constitutional challenge to Trump Administration’s transgender military ban)

• Doe v. State of South Carolina (D.S.C. & 4th Cir.) (putative class action lawsuit challenging South Carolina law banning transgender students from using gender-appropriate restrooms in public schools as violating Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment)

• Vitellaro v. Arizona Department of Corrections (D. Ariz.) (Title VII employment discrimination lawsuit brought by transgender former corrections officer for gender-based discrimination and harassment)

• Gordon v. Aetna Life Insurance Company (D. Conn.) (putative class action lawsuit challenging health insurer’s categorical coverage exclusion on gender-affirming facial surgeries for transfeminine plan holders)

• Doe v. Elkhorn Area School District (E.D. Wis.) (lawsuit against Wisconsin school district for denying transgender middle school student access to girls’ single-sex facilities at school)

• United States v. AION Management (D. Del.) (Fair Housing Act case challenging multi-state rental property management company’s policy of refusing to provide assigned parking as a reasonable accommodation to tenants with physical disabilities)

• Capasso v. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (N.Y. Sup. Ct.) (lawsuit against major cancer hospital by transgender patient for discriminatory treatment under New York State and New York City human rights laws)

Other examples of the firm’s recent work and accomplishments are available on our website at https://www.wardenskilaw.com/news.

Position Description

We will consider sponsoring fellowship applicants who wish to work with us to develop a project proposal based in one or more of the firm’s core focus areas: students’ rights, fair housing, health care, and LGBTQ+ rights. We are particularly interested in projects designed to (1) defend and advance legal protections for LGBTQ+ students using federal, state, and local laws; (2) hold schools, colleges, and universities accountable for discriminatory bullying and harassment of students; or (3) enforce fair housing protections on behalf of LGBTQ+ people. The fellow will work on active litigation matters and developing new cases. The fellow’s responsibilities will include:

• Investigating new matters, including interviewing prospective clients, conducting factual investigations, and identifying and analyzing potential legal claims;

• Conducting legal research;

• Drafting briefs, research memoranda, motions, and other legal documents;

• Supporting discovery in active cases, including reviewing document productions, interviewing witnesses, preparing for depositions, and participating in depositions; and

• Performing other assigned duties.

Potential applicants should familiarize themselves with the Justice Catalyst Fellowship program and application process before submitting inquiries.

Qualifications

• Current third-year law student or recent law school graduate (graduation date of December 2023 or later)

• A demonstrated commitment to one or more of the firm’s core issue areas: LGBTQ+ equality, students’ rights, fair housing, and health equity;

• Strong legal research, writing, editing, and communication skills; and

• The ability and willingness to take initiative and work both independently and collaboratively with the firm’s attorneys, staff, and our co-counsel;

• Willingness to take the New York bar exam or otherwise seek admission to the New York bar.

Work Location

The fellow will work primarily in the firm’s office at 134 West 29th Street in New York, New York. Full-time fellows will have the option to work from home one day per week.

Compensation

The fellowship salary will be at least $75,000. The fellow will also receive health benefits and paid time off, and be eligible to make contributions to the firm’s 401(k) retirement plan.

Application Instructions

To apply for sponsorship consideration by the firm, please send an email with the subject line “Justice Catalyst Fellowship Inquiry” to hiring@wardenskilaw.com, attaching the following materials as separate attachments to your email (preferably in PDF format):

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing (1) why you are interested in a pursuing a career as a civil rights attorney, (2) your relevant professional, academic, or personal experiences in one or more of the firm’s core issue areas (LGBTQ+ equality, students’ rights, fair housing, and health equity), and (3) a short summary (50-100 words) of your potential project proposal and how it aligns with the firm’s work.

• Your current résumé (maximum of 2 pages);

• A list of 2-3 academic and professional references (preferably at least one from a former employer and one from someone familiar with your research and writing skills);

• A legal writing sample of 5-15 pages (reflecting your own work with minimal edits from others); and

• Your law school transcript (unofficial is fine).

We will consider applications on a rolling basis beginning on September 1, 2025. Early applications are encouraged, and priority will be given to applications received by September 15, 2025. We will work closely with the selected applicant to submit a prospectus to Justice Catalyst on or before September 30, 2025, and, if a full fellowship application is requested by Justice Catalyst, to develop and submit a full fellowship application during the October 15-December 1 application period.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Wardenski P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. The firm does not discriminate in hiring or employment on any basis protected by New York City, New York State, or federal law, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, sex/gender (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related medical conditions, and childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, religion/creed, disability, immigration or citizenship status, or status as a veteran or active military service member. If you are a person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation during the application process, email hiring@wardenskilaw.com or call (347) 227-2500.

Wardenski P.C. values diverse, inclusive workplaces and will give equal consideration to all applicants. The firm encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with nontraditional educational backgrounds (including first-generation law students), and people from other backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession.