Wardenski P.C., a small civil rights law firm that represents plaintiffs in civil rights cases around the country, is seeking applications from current second-year law students for the firm’s 2026 summer associate position.

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. State of Arizona (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

The summer associate will work closely with the firm’s founder and other attorneys on active litigation matters and case development. We welcome applications from law students with a sincere interest in pursuing a career in civil rights law and advocacy, particularly those with a demonstrated commitment to, and relevant experience with, one or more of the firm’s core issue areas: LGBTQ+ equality, students’ rights, fair housing, and health equity. The law clerk will support all aspects of our active litigation and case development work. The summer associate’s responsibilities will include conducting legal and factual research, conducting new client intake interviews, proofreading and cite-checking briefs and pleadings, and assisting with discovery in active cases. Candidates must have excellent legal research, writing, editing, and communication skills.

Work Schedule and Location

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week) for a 10-12 week term beginning in May 2026. Candidates interested in a part-time (3-4 days per week) schedule will be considered and should note their preferred schedule in their cover letters. The summer associate will work primarily in the firm’s New York City office located on West 29th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan. Standard working hours are 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. All employees are permitted to work remotely on Fridays.

Compensation

Compensation will be $26.50/hour (approximately $9,540 for a 10-week position). This position may be eligible for summer public interest funding or work-study funding from some law schools. The firm will consider requests from law students who wish to obtain academic credit in lieu of compensation. If you are eligible for law school funding, work-study funding, or academic credit, please note that in your cover letter.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send an email with the subject line “Summer Associate (2026) Application” to hiring@wardenskilaw.com, attaching the following materials as separate attachments to your email (preferably in PDF format):

• A one-page cover letter describing why you are interested in a pursuing a career as a civil rights attorney, highlighting your specific interests and relevant professional, academic, and personal experiences in one or more of the firm’s core issue areas (LGBTQ+ equality, students’ rights, fair housing, and health equity);

• Your current résumé (maximum of two pages);

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

• Your unofficial law school transcript.

Applicants selected for interviews may be asked to submit a writing sample or additional materials.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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.