Legal Advocacy Fellow

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes and obesity epidemics and help people living with the diseases thrive. Since 1940, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with diabetes, prediabetes, or obesity. Every person living with these diseases deserves to be treated fairly at work, school and in their daily life, but all too often that does not happen. The ADA is committed to ending discriminatory practices that prevent people from achieving their full potential and provides resources to individuals and attorneys who represent them.

We are seeking an energetic individual to be a Legal Advocacy Fellow as part of our Legal Advocacy team. This two-year Fellowship will commence in August 2026 and will help ADA advance its legal advocacy goals to increase fairness for people with diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. The fellow will work with a mentor along with the ADA’s advocacy team and volunteers to advance the rights of people with diabetes and to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities in the workplace, at schools and day care, and in all aspects of society. The Legal Advocacy Fellow position may include litigation and non-litigation efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzing and supporting opportunities for the ADA to engage in impact litigation work in cases of broad importance to people with diabetes
• Working in collaboration with other legal advocacy staff to review ADA legal advocacy intakes to analyze trends, assist with responses, and assess intakes for potential impact litigation/advocacy opportunities.
• Coordinating ADA legal advocacy volunteers and staff to update ADA advocacy statements covering topics relevant to diabetes-related advocacy
• Analyzing and completing updates on state law and policy as necessary to further the ADA’s legal advocacy goals
• Working in collaboration with other legal advocacy staff to review and update ADA’s online legal advocacy materials and resources covering schools, childcare, employments, places of public accommodation, and detention settings
• Analyzing and supporting opportunities for the ADA’s legal advocacy division to broaden its areas of service.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A JD from an accredited law school awarded from January 2025 thorugh August 2026 is required
• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task

WHY WORK HERE

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) offers a rewarding career working for one of the premier voluntary health organizations in the world supporting people with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Our employees like working at the ADA because of our mission, the inclusive environment, work-life balance, our benefits and our culture:

• Industry competitive base pay ranging from $55,000 - $60,000 for this role. Base offers are determined by several factors including but not limited to your relevant work experience, education, certifications, location, internal pay equity, etc.
• A culture of recognition including new hire welcome announcements, service anniversary awards, referral bonuses, monthly All Employee Assembly, appreciation awards
• Generous Paid Time Off, including holidays, vacation days, personal days and sick days
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), disability & life insurance, pet insurance and retirement savings
• Guided by our mission, we provide top tier diabetes supply coverage through our medical benefits program
• A company focus on offering mental health programs and work/life balance with most of our employees working remote
• Joining our dedicated team affords the gratification of knowing beyond a doubt that you will impact the lives and well-being of millions