Fellowship (General)
Section: Professional Development and Public Service
Location: Anchorage and Juneau
Job Number: 26-PDPS-01
Closing Date: 2/13/2026 (or until filled)
Job description
The Department of Law is looking for talented, energetic, and hard-working attorneys for a two-year fellowship in our Anchorage or Juneau office. If you want to be a part of a collegial, collaborative, and intellectually-challenging workplace, we hope you will consider joining us. The Department will be evaluating and hiring for these positions on a rolling basis as applications are received. Applications received after February 13, 2026 will be considered if positions remain open.
Fellows will be assigned to the Civil Division’s Professional Development and Public Service section, where they will gain practical, hands-on legal experience while enjoying the personal satisfaction of serving the residents of Alaska. The section supervisor is a skilled practitioner who will be responsible for offering incoming fellows a training and orientation program that is specifically designed to help each fellow contribute to the Division’s mission immediately. In addition to the section supervisor, each fellow will also be assigned a senior attorney to act as their mentor. Pairings will be based on the substantive interests of the fellow and whether they are interested in agency advice, trial court litigation, or appellate practice. The goal of the program is to provide a pathway for gaining specialized knowledge, essential skills, and experience to qualify for permanent employment in the Department.
Each fellow will manage their own caseloads and participate in the full range of work handled by the Civil Division. This will include partnering with attorneys in other sections to work on a wide variety of civil matters including child protection, natural resources, employment, workers’ compensation, torts, governmental management, environment, oil and gas, health and social services, and legislation and regulations. It will also include advising a wide variety of state clients, including state agencies, governmental officials, public corporations, and licensing boards and commissions. The fellow will assist with legal advice projects, as well as participate in the full range of work handled by the Division. This includes reviewing discovery, drafting legal pleadings, attending hearings, working on civil appeals to Alaska’s superior and supreme courts, sitting on moot courts for other attorneys, and presenting at least one oral argument. Near the end of the fellowship period, the fellow will be eligible to apply for any open attorney positions at the Department.
Attorneys in the Civil Division work on matters of statewide importance, all while living and enjoying all Alaska has to offer. If you enjoy complex and impactful legal work along with dramatic scenery, outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, kayaking, and abundant wildlife, then the Alaska Department of Law, Civil Division is the place for you. Flexible schedules, including hybrid telework arrangements, may be available.
Qualifications
Candidates should be law school graduates currently serving as full-time judicial clerks or who have recently completed a judicial clerkship; law school graduates participating in government, academic, or public-interest fellowships that will be completed prior to the start date of the Department of Law’s fellowship; or exceptionally qualified law students in their final year at an accredited law school.
The Fellow will be chosen based on academic achievements, references, writing ability, and commitment to public service. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated interest in Alaska. Candidates should either be members of the Alaska Bar or must take and pass the Alaska Bar Exam in the February following the start of the Fellowship (and must be able to practice in accordance with Alaska Bar Rule 44(3)(c)).
Contact
Individuals who would like additional information about the position may contact Jessica Leeah at (907) 465-3600 or by email at Jessica.leeah@alaska.gov.
Benefits & Compensation
State Benefits Package
- Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
- Generous leave accrual, starting at 21 days a year
- 12 paid holidays
- A variety of retirement plans
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
- 37.5-hour workweek
- Eligibility for part-time teleworking, alternate workweek, or a flex schedule after an initial training period.
Estimated Compensation
The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.
| Attorney level | Experience level | Pay range and step | Base pay* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney 1 | Unlicensed attorney | 18 D or E | $89,895 or $92,703 |
| Attorney 2 | Less than two years of licensed experience | 20 C or D | $99,235.50 or $102,843 |
| Attorney 3 | More than 2 but less than 4 years of licensed experience | 22 B or C | $109,882.50 or $113,256 |
| Attorney 4 | More than 4 years | 24 B through F | $125,482.50 – $143,734.50 |
*Summary of Geographical Pay Rate Differences.
| Location | Base pay + geographical difference |
|---|---|
| Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer, Ketchikan | Base pay / no geo dif |
| Fairbanks | Base pay + 3% |
| Juneau, Sitka | Base pay + 5% |
| Kodiak | Base pay + 11% |
| Nome, Dillingham | Base pay + 37% |
| Bethel, Utqiagvik | Base pay + 50% |
| Kotzebue | Base pay + 60% |
Application Instructions
You may submit individual applications for each position you’re applying for, or you may submit one application and list all respective position numbers for which you want to be considered. Multi-position applications may address our office as “Civil Division Recruitment.”
Email your complete application to civil.recruit@alaska.gov.
Include the following documents:
- Cover Letter: List the position number(s) you are applying for
- Resume: Include a complete history of education; professional work experience with dates (MM/YYYY); and the states and admission dates (MM/YYYY) for each bar license you have
- 3 Professional References
- 1 Professional Writing Sample
- If you are a current or recent State of Alaska employee, please also submit your most recent performance evaluation.
