A paid full-time, ten-week summer fellowship is available in the Office of U.S. 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 the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. 

Only Oregon Law students 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, D.C. (The fellow might need to work remotely part time, depending on what is happening public health-wise.)

Salary: $9,250 for 10 weeks. The fellow will receive a stipend of $500 from the Wayne Morse Center at the end of May. The remaining amount will be paid through congressional payroll on the 5th and 20th of each month.

Description: Full-time summer fellowship for 1L or 2L; 10 weeks. 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 U.S. 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.

Expectations and opportunities: 

• As a condition of the fellowship award, the fellow must agree to return and continue progress toward a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. 
• Incoming Wayne Morse Law Fellows attend an 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 lunch 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.
• If asked, Law Fellows are expected to attend a gathering with donors to the Wayne Morse Center and share about their fellowship experiences

How to Apply

• By Wednesday, January 24 at noon, email a single PDF document that includes a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and list of three references to the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics at waynemorsecenter@uoregon.edu. 
  • Address cover letter to Lisa Rockower, State Director, Office of U.S. 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 resume.
  • Please check that the phone numbers and email addresses of references are current.

We will notify finalists as quickly as possible. Interviews with Ms. Rockower will take place on Thursday, February 1, 2024, in the UO Law Career Center in Eugene.

Questions? Please contact Wayne Morse Center Co-director Rebecca Dinwoodie, JD, rcd@uoregon.edu 

UO Law graduates in this office: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (‘74) 

Previous fellows: 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)