Law Clerk, Athlete Ombuds

Description

Are you mission-driven and passionate about helping others succeed?

Do you strive to lead, follow, and act with integrity?

Are you the one who honors your commitments?

Is building trusting relationships an integral part of why you do what you do?

Do you push limits and challenge the status quo?

If you answered YES, keep reading to discover how you can significantly contribute to Team USA's success!

Here's a summary of responsibilities:

The Team USA Athlete Ombuds Office seeks a highly motivated fall law clerk to support its work promoting fairness, transparency, and athlete well-being across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Athlete Ombuds provides independent, confidential advice and assistance to Team USA athletes regarding concerns that may affect their training, competition, or participation in sport.

The fall law clerk will assist with projects related to athlete outreach, engagement, and support, while also contributing to research and resource development, assisting athletes navigating complex sport governance systems. The law clerk will work closely with the Athlete Ombuds team to strengthen resources, analyze emerging issues affecting athletes, and help ensure the Office remains available, visible, and responsive to athlete needs.

The fall law clerk will also assist with athlete matters and case-related work, including supporting intake, background research, issue analysis, response, problem-solving, and dispute resolution. Because the Athlete Ombuds Office operates under strict confidentiality protections, the clerk must be committed to maintaining the strictest confidence, as required by law.

This opportunity is particularly well-suited for law students interested in sports law, dispute resolution, athlete advocacy, or other legal issues affecting Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The clerk will gain unique exposure to the legal, governance, and dispute resolution issues that arise in elite international sport, including matters involving Olympic and Paralympic athletes, National Governing Bodies, international federations, and the broader Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

This opportunity will take place from late-September through mid-December, with exact dates flexible.

Here’s how you’ll have an impact:

• Adhere to the core principles of the Athlete Ombuds Office: independence, impartiality, and confidentiality.
• Assist the Athlete Ombuds team with athlete matters and case-related work, including background research, issue analysis, response and intake, problem-solving, and dispute resolution.
• Conduct legal and policy research on issues affecting Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including team selection procedures, anti-doping frameworks, athlete rights in the commercial space, athlete safety, and dispute resolution systems.
• Support the tracking and analysis of case trends and case precedent in key areas.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and communication of athlete-facing resources.
• Participate in the review and expansion of the Office’s outreach and visibility with athletes, including evaluating current touchpoints and opportunities to strengthen engagement.
• Support projects related to the Office’s Legal Aid and Commercial Agreement Resource programs.
• Help foster an environment that is accessible, supportive, competent, welcoming, and resourceful for athletes and other constituents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Here are the skills and experience you'll need to be effective:

• Currently enrolled in a Juris Doctorate degree program and have completed at least one year of the program
• Preferred coursework: dispute resolution, sports law, communications
• Elite level athletic background in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement preferred
• Sport environment experience preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, National Governing Bodies, and other relevant external organizations
• Dispute resolution, advocacy, communications, and data analytics experience a plus
• Passion for sport and the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Superior writing skills

Here are the tools, equipment, & conditions:

• Standard office equipment
• Microsoft applications: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook
• All or a portion of the opportunity may be remote
• Regular attendance at work is an essential job function

Here's where you'll work:

Remote 

Here's some more information you need to know:

• Hiring pay range $20.55 - $22.50 per hour.
• This Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Temporary position is intended to work 20 hours per week.

This job posting will close 12:00pm MT on 9/20/2026.