Become a
Legal Observer

Train the Next Generation of
Civil Rights Advocates

A fully funded six-week fellowship in Dallas, culminating in a live federal civil rights mock trial and the National Bar Association’s Annual Convention. Merritt Law Firm’s second cohort delivered a Fourth Amendment case in open-court format alongside S. Lee Merritt and Ben Crump. Apply to be one of eight fellows in 2027.

What the 2026 Cohort Built

In our second year, the Merritt Civil Rights Summer Fellowship trained eight fellows as trial counsel — not observers — in Williams v. Mason and the City of Bristol, a federal Fourth Amendment excessive-force case argued alongside S. Lee Merritt and Ben Crump before Hon. Renée Harris Toliver. The 2027 program builds on that model with the same faculty caliber and an expanded cohort experience.

Applications open September 1, 2026 · Priority deadline November 15, 2026 · Final deadline January 15, 2027

The Experience

Intensive Training:
6 weeks of paid on-the-ground training with the Merritt Law Firm in Dallas (June 14 – July 16, 2027). Learn federal litigation, media strategy, and movement advocacy.
National Platform:
A fully supported delegation to the National Bar Association Annual Convention in Nashville. Connect with the nation’s top civil rights attorneys.
Mentorship:
Direct access to S. Lee Merritt, Ben Crump, and a network of seasoned civil rights leaders.
Real Impact:
Work on active cases that matter. No coffee runs — just civil rights work.

Leadership

“We are not just teaching law; we are teaching survival and advocacy. This generation needs tools to fight battles we haven’t even seen yet.” — S. Lee Merritt

S. Lee Merritt is a civil rights attorney dedicated to fighting for victims of police brutality, hate crimes, and corporate negligence.

Who We Are Looking For

We are selecting eight emerging advocates — four undergraduates and four law students — who possess the talent, commitment, and lived experience to become movement lawyers.

Current undergraduates, law students (1L, 2L, or 3L), recent graduates, or licensed attorneys committed to public interest law.
Must demonstrate a history of advocacy or community organizing.
Available in Dallas for the full program period: June 14 – July 16, 2027.

Note on Financials: This is a paid fellowship. Housing and travel for the Nashville convention are fully covered. We believe economic status should never bar a future leader from this work.

Fund the 2027 Fellowship

Every dollar seats a juror, feeds a fellow, or sends an advocate to Nashville. The 2027 program is a $96,403 investment in the next generation of civil rights lawyers — trained by the practice that stood with the Arbery, Jean, and Jefferson families, and stands today with Karmelo Anthony’s appellate coalition.

Full Cohort Partner — $96,403 · anchor the entire 2027 program
Mock Trial & Advocates' Dinner Partner — $34,187 · underwrite the signature capstone
Nashville Delegation Partner — $11,192 · send the full cohort to the NBA Annual Convention
Fellow Sponsor — $2,500 stipend or $4,095 stipend + housing · back one advocate for the summer
Justice Circle & Movement Supporters — any amount · sustain the work

For custom partnerships and speaking engagements with S. Lee Merritt, contact [email protected]

Note: The Merritt Law Firm is a private practice. Contributions to this fellowship fund are not tax-deductible charitable donations but are direct investments in the training and mentorship of the next generation of attorneys.