The Law & AI Academic Fellowship: A Premier Pathway Into U.S. Legal Academia

The Law & AI Academic Fellowship (LAIAF) is a prestigious, full‑time, two‑year fellowship designed for aspiring legal scholars preparing to enter the U.S. legal academic job market. Offered by the Institute for Law & AI (LawAI), this fellowship provides unmatched time, resources, mentorship, and research support to help fellows produce high‑impact legal scholarship on the rapidly evolving law of transformative artificial intelligence.

This program serves as a powerful alternative to traditional Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) roles and law‑school‑affiliated fellowships, offering scholars the freedom to focus deeply on research without teaching obligations—unless they choose to pursue teaching opportunities independently.

About LawAI

The Institute for Law & AI is an independent think tank dedicated to analyzing and advising on the legal challenges posed by advanced artificial intelligence. Its mission is rooted in promoting security, welfare, and the rule of law through rigorous legal research. LawAI collaborates with governments, research institutions, and private organizations, producing influential publications and policy guidance across multiple AI‑related domains.

About the Fellowship Role

The inaugural Law & AI Academic Fellows will focus on producing legal scholarship that helps society navigate the profound transformations expected from advanced AI systems. Fellows will:

• Spend the majority of their time researching and writing law review articles.
• Prepare for the U.S. legal academic job market.
• Receive mentorship from LawAI’s network of affiliated academics.
• Access intensive support during the job‑market phase, including:
  • Moot interviews
  • Application‑package reviews
  • Targeted feedback from senior scholars

This fellowship is intentionally structured to mirror the benefits of a VAP or law‑school fellowship—without the constraints of teaching requirements or institutional limitations.

Teaching & Academic Engagement Opportunities

While teaching is not required, fellows who wish to gain teaching experience may explore opportunities at academic institutions of interest. LawAI and its affiliates may assist in securing such roles, though placement is not guaranteed.

Fellows are also encouraged to spend time in residence at universities to benefit from academic environments, library access, and research communities.

Research Areas of Interest

LawAI seeks fellows whose research interests align with the organization’s vision of addressing the sweeping societal changes expected from transformative AI. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to:

AI Governance & Regulation

• Risk regulation of transformative AI
• Liability for AI‑caused harms
• AI transparency policies
• International regulation of transformative AI
• State‑level AI laws
• The EU AI Act

AI, Security & Public Institutions

• AI and biosecurity
• AI and cybersecurity
• Executive branch use of AI
• Transformative AI and national security law
• Transformative AI and administrative law
• Transformative AI and constitutional law
• Transformative AI in the judiciary

AI, Society & the Economy

• Transformative AI and industrial policy
• Transformative AI and labor law
• Transformative AI and tax law
• Transformative AI and state capacity

AI, Law, and Technology

• Automated legal reasoning
• Legal AI technologies
• Corporate governance of AI companies
• Antitrust and AI safety
• Testing and evaluation of AI systems
• Model specifications and AI constitutions as sources of law
• Law‑following AI and legal alignment

Methodological Approaches

• Law and economics
• Law and history
• Legal philosophy
• Law and computer science
• Empirical legal studies
• Comparative legal studies
• Conservative legal thought
• Critical legal studies

Fellows are not required to conform their research to LawAI’s organizational agenda; intellectual independence is a core value.

Commitment to Academic Freedom

LawAI ensures that fellows retain full academic independence. Key protections include:

1. No funder influence over research or hiring decisions.
2. Full discretion over research topics, methods, and conclusions.
3. No prior restraint on publication.
4. No required consulting for LawAI or its clients.
5. Freedom to express dissenting views, even if they differ from LawAI’s positions.

Fellows will sign a confidentiality and IP agreement, but scholarly works and teaching materials are explicitly excluded.

Who Should Apply?

You may be a strong candidate if you:

• Plan to pursue a career in U.S. legal academia.
• Have strong academic performance in law school.
• Bring relevant post‑law‑school experience (clerkship, practice, policy work, advocacy, etc.).
• Have served on a law review or similar journal.
• Have an existing publication record or a clear research agenda.
• Understand legal scholarship deeply and can produce high‑quality written work.
• Are motivated to improve AI law and policy.
• Are self‑directed, proactive, and intellectually rigorous.
• Can travel frequently for conferences, workshops, and job‑market activities.

LawAI emphasizes holistic evaluation and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary

• $130,000 per year

Benefits Package

• Flexible working hours
• Option to work from Cambridge, UK office
• 5 weeks of recommended PTO + public holidays
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Up to 4% employer pension or 401(k) match
• Health insurance (for countries without nationalized healthcare)
• Annual reimbursement funds:
  • $5,000 for productivity & professional development
  • $5,000 for mental health support
  • $2,500 for equipment & office supplies
  • Additional $5,000 travel budget for academic conferences (minimum, may increase)

Research Support

LawAI provides world‑class research support, including:

• Funding for books, journals, and databases (e.g., Westlaw)
• Access to leading generative AI tools
• Assistance in securing university affiliations
• Seasonal Research Fellows (RAs)
• Funding for editing and sub‑citing support
• Additional research resources upon request

Location & Travel Requirements

• Flexible location; most fellows expected to work from the U.S.
• Required: one month per year in Washington, DC or Cambridge, UK
• Travel, housing, and childcare costs covered
• Frequent travel expected for academic development
• Visa support may be available in some cases

Start Date & Renewal

• Preferred: Start shortly after receiving an offer
• Latest possible start: September 2027
• Initial term: Two years
• Possible third‑year extension based on performance and funding

Application Process

1. Submit application by July 31, 2026
2. Initial screening call
3. Interview with LawAI staff
4. Interview with potential supervisors
5. Background checks
6. Employment offer

Referral Program

Eligible individuals who refer a successful candidate receive $5,000.

Apply here

For more information about this opportunity visit here

Discover more  fellowship opportunities here