Closing Date: 1st November, 2026
Description:
The Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and we believe that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas - Higher Learning, Arts and Culture, Public Knowledge, and Humanities in Place - and through its signature Presidential Initiatives.Team Overview:
The Foundation is looking for a Legal Fellow to join the Legal Team for a full-time one-year position. The Legal Fellow will support a range of projects throughout their time at the Foundation and will gain exposure to the diverse legal and strategic issues that arise in a philanthropic organization. Work will likely span numerous areas of law, with a focus on matters involving litigation strategy, legal research and analysis, regulatory inquiries, legal risk assessment, crisis response, and other complex legal issues affecting the Foundation and its mission. The Fellow will work and interact with staff across the Foundation, including program, communications, government relations, and other teams, and will collaborate with outside counsel and other advisors as needed.
Position Description:
The Legal Fellow is a strategic legal role that requires intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and strong analytical skills to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice and support. Working closely with the Senior Counsel, Litigation and Legal Strategy and the broader Legal Team, the Legal Fellow will assist with legal research, risk assessment, legal strategy, litigation-related matters, and other significant legal issues affecting the Foundation.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, briefing materials, and strategic analyses on novel and challenging legal questions.
- Supporting the development and evaluation of litigation and legal strategies related to Foundation priorities and activities.
- Monitoring legal and regulatory developments relevant to the Foundation's mission, operations, and programmatic work.
- Assisting with the assessment and management of litigation, pre-litigation disputes, regulatory inquiries, investigations, and other complex legal matters affecting the Foundation.
- Supporting crisis response efforts by providing legal analysis and strategic guidance on time-sensitive matters.
- Building relationships and facilitating collaborations with Foundation staff at all levels.
- Independently exercising judgment on complex legal matters and contributing to legal decision-making.
- Other duties as requested based on department and organizational needs.
Qualifications:
This essential role offers the opportunity to enhance the legal function at a prominent, complex foundation dedicated to the arts, humanities, and social justice. While experience in some aspects of the job description is ideal, we value adaptability and an eagerness to learn and grow. A demonstrated commitment to the mission of the organization is optimal. If you are excited about this opportunity and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement listed. Attorneys who would like to build skills in exempt organization law or are returning to practice after a career break are encouraged to apply.
- A J.D. and at least 3+ years of legal experience.
- A solutions-oriented, agile thinker who can present and consider alternative approaches to achieve the Foundation's objectives.
- Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Experience with impact litigation, strategic litigation or public-interest litigation.
- Excellent judgment including ability to provide clear advice on sensitive matters and in high-pressure situations.
- Excellent communicator through clear and effective oral and written communication.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with staff at all levels.
- Analytical thinker with strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to handle multiple and often complex tasks effectively and efficiently while maintaining a strong attention to detail and a commitment to meeting deadlines.
- Appreciation for a friendly and collegial work environment.
- Impeccable integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
The Mellon Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Mellon offers a generous total reward package that includes base salary and a comprehensive benefits program, as well as an excellent working environment. Mellon is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the philanthropic sector. The estimated salary range for this role is $200,000 - 300,000. The amount of pay offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, unique skills, credentials, or years of legal experience that is expected to impact the candidate's contribution to the role. We will also consider market data as well as the Foundation's internal pay equity framework.
The Mellon Foundation is committed to access and inclusion for our applicants. If you have accessibility requests to support your participation in the hiring process, please let us know at your earliest convenience.
Please note that Mellon maintains a hybrid work schedule, with three days per week in person at the Foundation's Manhattan offices.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected. The Legal Fellow position will be for a one-year term.
Candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter describing fit for the position and a resume by 11/01/2026. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Foundation will consider each complete application carefully but only contact those individuals it believes are most qualified for the position.
