Wikimedia Foundation
nonprofit
LegalFellow(Fall2026)
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Entry candidates.
“Legal Fellow (Fall 2026) at Wikimedia Foundation. Skills: Internet law, Freedom of expression, Intellectual property, Contract drafting, International law, Privacy, Data security, Licensing. Researching various legal questions. Drafting licensing agreements”
Industry & Context.
Enjoy tackling difficult and ambiguous problems in creative ways.
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
High energy for and commitment to the Wikimedia Foundation's free knowledge mission, including an interest in free culture issues, digital rights, open source software, Creative Commons licensing, etc., A good sense of humor and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, multitasking environment that demands fast turn-arounds., Intellectual curiosity and flexibility that makes them enjoy tackling difficult and ambiguous problems in creative ways., Experience working with large online user communities (or at least the desire to)., The ability to flourish in a highly transparent and collaborative environment and work on a team with diverse demographic and cultural characteristics., Excellent writing skills that can be adapted to communicate complex legal concepts to a large audience with varying (or no) backgrounds in law., Completed coursework in some or all of the following areas of law: internet law, freedom of expression (domestic and international), intellectual property, contract drafting, international law, privacy, data security, and/or licensing.
Nice to Have
Candidates with research backgrounds are preferred., Candidates with experience with wikis or Wikimedia projects are preferred., Multilingual candidates are a plus!, Candidates with experience and/or coursework in drafting agreements and/or policies are preferred., While coursework in these areas is not required, students who have experience in these areas are heavily preferred., Being a Wikimedian! (Please share your username in your cover letter. )
What You'll Do.
Researching various legal questions
Drafting licensing agreements
Developing internal and external policies
Spearheading individualized projects under supervision and guidance of an attorney
Attending and participating in internal and external meetings
Collaborating on projects
Receiving feedback and support
Learning about the practical dimensions of practicing law in-house at a web-based company
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Work closely with their supervising attorney; Attending and participating in internal and external meetings; Collaborating on projects; Ability to flourish in a highly transparent and collaborative environment and work on a team with diverse demographic and cultural characteristics
Communication Scope
Excellent writing skills that can be adapted to communicate complex legal concepts to a large audience with varying (or no) backgrounds in law.
Process & Methodology
Spearheading individualized projects
Full Job Description
Summary If you’re a current law student or recent law school graduate passionate about free knowledge and open source issues, applying to our legal fellowship program can provide an immersive in-house experience with specific education and training in the areas of Internet law and free knowledge organizations. Description The Foundation faces a myriad of legal issues ranging from complex copyright questions to international freedom of expression to mobile development to internal corporate compliance. Because of the wide array of legal issues, legal fellows will be assigned challenging projects based on their particular interests and strengths. These projects range from researching various legal questions to drafting licensing agreements to developing internal and external policies. Each fellow will receive individualized projects that they will be expected to spearhead under the supervision and guidance of an attorney from the Legal Department. Fellows will work closely with their supervising attorney - attending and participating in internal and external meetings, collaborating on projects, receiving feedback and support, and generally learning about the practical dimensions of practicing law in-house at a web-based company. When the opportunity exists, the Legal Department will work with a fellow's university to facilitate earning academic credits and/or receiving funding for the fellow's time at the Wikimedia Foundation. Fall and Spring fellowships have a duration of 18 weeks. Summer fellowships have a duration of 12 weeks. Requirements High energy for and commitment to the Wikimedia Foundation's free knowledge mission, including an interest in free culture issues, digital rights, open source software, Creative Commons licensing, etc. A good sense of humor and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, multitasking environment that demands fast turn-arounds. Intellectual curiosity and flexibility that makes them enjoy tackling difficult and ambiguous problems in creat
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