A paid full-time, ten-week summer fellowship is available in the Office of US Senator Ron Wyden (UO Law ‘74). This fellowship was developed by the University of Oregon School of Law and the Office of Senator Wyden in cooperation with UO's Wayne Morse Center for Law & Politics. It is part of the Wayne Morse Law Fellows program.
Only UO Law 1Ls and 2Ls may apply. It is an exceptional opportunity for students interested in public service and in gaining knowledge of the legislative process.
About the position
Title: Wayne Morse Legal Fellow
Location: Washington, DC. The fellow will be assigned a desk, which they will not have to share with other fellows/interns. They may do some work on a hybrid basis, as appropriate. Student will determine start and end dates with Senator Wyden's Capitol Hill staff.
Gross Compensation: $10,000.
The Wayne Morse Center will provide a $625 stipend in late May, which will go into the fellow’s UO student account. Any monies owed the University will be deducted from that amount. The remaining amount of roughly $1,875 per pay period, minus taxes, will be issued through congressional payroll on the 5th and 20th of each month on a prorated basis. A loan may be available from UO to enable the fellow to purchase airline tickets, etc.
Description: Review testimony, documentation, legislative history, publications, public databases, and media. May participate in legislative hearings/drafting of materials for the Senator and the public. Should expect to develop greater understanding of the legislative process in general and the operations of the US Senate. The job is structured so the student will be exposed to high-level Senate policy work rarely seen by non-staffers.
Qualifications: Strong research, writing, and organizational skills. Ideal candidate will be able to access large amounts of information, identify important elements, and summarize efficiently. The ability to understand and follow instructions is very important. An understanding of the legislative process is useful. Should have a general understanding of the major public policy issues of importance to Oregon.
The fellow must be a self-starter.
Expectations and opportunities:
- As a condition of the fellowship award, the fellow must agree to return and continue progress toward a JD from the University of Oregon School of Law.
- Incoming Wayne Morse Law Fellows attend a short orientation lunch in the spring. At the end of the summer, each fellow will submit a short report about their experience. When fall term begins, Law Fellows gather over a meal to debrief and share what they learned with one another.
- Fellows are invited to participate in the life of the Wayne Morse Center during and after their fellowship. This includes public lectures and panels (usually held in the law school), occasional lunches and receptions with speakers, and one-on-one mentoring.
How to Apply
Apply through DuckWorks by Wednesday, January 21, at noon Pacific time.
- Address cover letter to Lisa Rockower, State Director, Office of US Senator Ron Wyden, c/o Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, 1515 Agate Street, Eugene, OR 97403.
- Include a home (non-UO) email address on your resumé.
- Official and unofficial transcripts are both acceptable.
- Please check that the phone numbers and email addresses of references are current and specify how you know the reference (ex: your job title, class you were in) and how long you have known them.
We will notify finalists as quickly as possible. Interviews with Senator Wyden's State Director, Lisa Rockower, will likely take place during the first week of February in Knight Law Center.
Questions? First visit the Wayne Morse Center's Law Fellowships page, which includes an FAQ. If you need further information, contact Wayne Morse Center Co-Director Rebecca Dinwoodie, JD, rcd@uoregon.edu
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UO Law graduates in this office: US Senator Ron Wyden (‘74)
Previous fellows: Ravi Cullop (2025); Aaron Moss (2024); Maya Ward (2023); Lindsay Free (2022); Vanessa Jackson and Hilary Therien (2020); Skyler Brocker-Knapp (2019); Casey Dreher (2018); Kimberly Koops-Wrabek (2017); Lucy Ohlsen (2016); Shannon Flowers (2015); Sharia Mayfield (2014); Trevor Caldwell (2013); Andrew Narus (2012); Sarah Altemus Pope (2011); Drew Johnston (2010); Adam Schultz (2009); Erin Gould (2008); Erin Fair (2007); Megan Thompson (2006); Melissa Seifer Briggs (2005).