About the Fellowship
The ZwillGen Fellow position is for attorneys who have graduated from law school (or will have by June 2026), taken the bar exam (or plan to do so before or near their start date), and are new entrants into the workforce as full-time attorneys. The Fellow position is slated to last for 12 months with a salary of $115,000-$125,000, commensurate with experience. The Fellow billable hour requirement is set low (1,250 hours per year) to enable Fellows to have time to attend regulatory or legislative hearings, meetings and events, and to leave time for pursuit of individual areas of interest, such as writing substantive articles, or meaningfully participating in working groups created by external organizations such as the Future of Privacy Forum, CDT, IAPP or other civil society organizations.
Following the 12-month Fellowship, Fellows may be invited to join ZwillGen in a full-time attorney role and/or will be provided significant assistance in finding their next position.
A strong candidate will possess
- A zeal for all things technology and have taken some relevant classes in law school on technology-related subjects such as data privacy, cybersecurity, cyber-surveillance, Artificial Intelligence, AdTech, FinTech, EdTech, copyright, mobile applications, or blockchain.
- Experience working with a technology company, privacy or civil liberties organization, or relevant regulatory agency is a plus. Although the firm does some copyright-related work, that is not the firm’s focus and candidates interested primarily in IP law are discouraged from applying.
ZwillGen Fellows work closely with ZwillGen attorneys on a variety of cutting edge and legally challenging Internet privacy, security, e-commerce, and surveillance issues. We provide counseling to our clients but also assist with litigation, FTC and State AG investigations, and data breaches. Because ZwillGen Fellows wear a variety of hats, we are looking for fellows that are not only able to provide high-quality legal analysis in a concise and cogent manner, but also who are motivated and enthusiastic, embrace a fast-paced and lively environment, and are eager to learn new things. A good sense of humor and a desire to work hard and have fun are a must. Fellows are expected to engage in client development, speaking and writing engagements, blogging, marketing, assisting with development of firm forms and precedent materials, and generally helping out around the firm.
How to apply
Qualified and interested candidates should apply here and at a minimum, submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and professional references. Feel free to also include something different that will make your application stand out and help demonstrate your problem-solving creativity.
Screening interviews will likely be conducted remotely, and final interviews may be conducted remotely or in person.
The deadline to submit applications is Sunday, August 31, 2025, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before then, so we encourage early submission. Applications submitted after the deadline may still be considered at our discretion.
Typically, the program is centered in ZwillGen’s Washington, DC office. While we also maintain offices in California, New York, and Chicago, ZwillGen’s Fellowship Program is intended for candidates who are located in or willing to relocate to the Washington, DC area. Fellows will likely be expected to work in the DC office 3-4 days per week, although this requirement is subject to change depending on firm policy at the time the Fellowship begins.
Hannah Schaller Memorial
Skylark Fellowship
During our review of potential Fellowship Program applications, we will identify a select group of applicants that we will invite to apply for a new Fellowship slot in honor of our dear colleague and former Fellow, Hannah Schaller, who we sadly lost earlier this year.
The Hannah Schaller Memorial Skylark Fellowship is designed for a recent law school graduate with a demonstrated passion for privacy law and community engagement. This Fellowship honors the legacy of our beloved colleague Hannah Schaller, whose bright spirit, intellectual curiosity, and generosity left a lasting mark on the firm, as well as the broader privacy legal community.
Like a Skylark, Hannah embodied and will always be remembered for the following traits
- Joy and Lightness: Skylarks are associated with cheerfulness and a bright spirit. Their distinctive, soaring songs are linked to joy, freedom, and emotional uplift.
- Aspiration and Elevation: Skylarks are known for singing while they ascend high into the sky, symbolizing aspiration and lifting others up.
- Poetic and Reflective Nature: Skylarks are a popular motif in literature and poetry, often used to represent inspiration, the soul’s expression, and natural beauty.
- Freedom and Individuality: As birds that sing freely and visibly in flight, skylarks also embody authenticity and uniqueness, qualities often admired in trailblazers and kind-hearted leaders.
What You’ll Do
In addition to the substantive legal aspects of the ZwillGen fellowship, the Skylark fellow will also:
- Serve as a liaison between ZwillGen and key privacy organizations and events.
- Engage with and mentor law students interested in the ZwillGen fellowship or generally starting a career in privacy law.
- Represent the firm at regulatory hearings and workshops, working groups, and community gatherings.
- Contribute to firm events and assist in internal programming and planning.
- Help extend ZwillGen’s commitment to mentorship, leadership, and public service.
The Skylark Fellow will have a reduced billable hour target (1,100 hours) to allow extra time for community involvement, thought leadership, and participation in civil society and privacy-focused events. This includes opportunities to engage with organizations such as the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and other influential groups in the privacy space.
Characteristics We’re Looking For
In honor of Hannah, we are seeking candidates who reflect the qualities she embodied:
- Community-Driven: Commitment to be deeply immersed in the privacy and tech policy community.
- Brand Ambassador: Eager to represent ZwillGen in public and professional settings.
- Service-Oriented: A demonstrated commitment to mentoring others and giving back—especially through pro bono work or community involvement.
- Intellectually Curious: A passion for learning and exploring new ideas in privacy, law, and technology.
- Personality & Passion: Engagement with hobbies, interests, and a willingness to bring your whole self to work.
- Team Player: A desire to be an active participant in firm life and help plan internal events and initiatives.
Application Requirements
If you are invited to apply for this Fellowship, additional materials will be requested from you at that time.
