APPLICATION PERIOD CURRENTLY CLOSED.

More information about the most recent posting is available here.  

The National Agricultural Law Center employ numerous research fellows to help conduct legal research and writing projects that meaningfully assist the NALC and its partners in serving state, regional, and national stakeholders in furtherance of its mission as the nation’s leading source of objective agricultural and food law research and information.  Specific areas of research include but are not limited to:

• • Food safety and food labeling;
  • Agricultural finance and credit;
  • Environmental regulation of agriculture;
  • Agricultural trade;
  • Ownership of agricultural land, including transition/estate planning;
  • Other relevant issues such as agricultural data and technology, land use, farm programs, local and regional food systems and agricultural labor.

Successful applicants will be law students who have completed at least their first year of law school and have demonstrated skills and experience in legal research and writing. Applications must include at least one letter of reference that speaks to the applicant’s research and writing skills. Previous experience or background in agriculture is preferred, but not required. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred, but not required. Applicants must be motivated and capable of reliably implementing work projects in a distance working arrangement. This position requires a commitment of at least ten hours a week, with flexibility given for exams and other academic or holiday events.  Interested individuals will be asked to submit a current resume, reference(s), an unofficial law school transcript and a writing sample (10 pages or less).

Applications are typically accepted in April, July and November of each year, and are advertised on NALC social media.  Please follow those outlets to stay aware of the current postings.

APPLICATION PERIOD: NOVEMBER 1 to January 5, 2026.

Interested individuals should submit application materials and inquiries to nataglaw@uark.edu.

The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC), in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and the NASDA Foundation, is now accepting applications for the Scott E. Fancher Agricultural Law Fellowship. This fellowship honors Scott E. Fancher, a dedicated advocate for agricultural law and policy who served producers and others in the ag industry in many ways, including as agricultural lawyer, USDA Farm Service County Executive Director, a producer, and a United States Marine.

This unique opportunity places a second-year law student in the Washington, D.C. area for the summer to gain hands-on experience in agricultural law and policy. The goal is to help enhance career opportunities for a law student who wants to use their legal education to work in the public and/or private sectors of the agricultural industry.

• Location: NASDA Headquarters – Arlington, Virginia (housing not provided)
• Dates: Mid-May to early August
• Compensation: $25/hour, full-time (40 hours/weekly) position

The Fancher Fellow will conduct supervised legal research and writing on key agricultural and food law issues, and other activities such as attending Congressional committee hearings, briefings, and relevant legal/policy events as appropriate.  The Fancher Fellow will gain valuable exposure to state and federal issues affecting state departments of agriculture and others.

Who Should Apply

2L law students who have a demonstrated interest in agricultural law and policy; strong legal research and writing skills; minimum GPA of 3.25 (preferred); and eagerness to use their legal education to seek a career in the agricultural industry.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume;
• Transcript;
• Writing sample;
• List of 3 references, one must address applicant’s research and writing skills; and
• Cover letter, 1-2 pages in length that includes a description of applicant’s interest in pursuing a career in the agricultural industry.