Trust in American institutions—government, courts, and even civil society—has steadily eroded and now stands at historic lows. In October 2025, Vanita Gupta launched the Center for Law and Public Trust at NYU School of Law to confront this crisis in confidence and reimagine US institutions so they are more effective and accountable to the American people, more resilient to corruption and abuse, and therefore more deserving of public trust.
The Center works to rebuild trust and advance effectiveness in government and other institutions by: developing issue briefs, roadmaps, and concrete blueprints for institutional reform and reconstruction; designing structures, processes, and policies that are more responsive to community needs, efficient, resilient, and accountable to the public; and training the next generation of lawyers to lead in public service, armed with the skills to deploy the levers of government and leadership, advance justice, and deliver results for the American people.
This is an 18-month position to lead the Center’s pardon work. The fellow will work closely with the Center’s Director and Deputy Director to research, design, and actively promote a framework and set of recommendations for safeguarding and strengthening fairness and transparency in the federal pardon process. The fellow will perform a wide range of research, writing, public education and advocacy tasks, including, but not limited to:
Conducting research and analysis on state and federal pardon systems and processes
Generating public-facing scholarship, a framework with recommendations, and other written products relating to the federal pardon process
Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior practitioners, academics, experts, and counterparts across the University and at partner organizations, particularly on issues relevant to the portfolio and scope of work
Representing the Center at coalition meetings, conferences, and other public events
Coordinating convenings and working sessions to develop deliverables and advance project objectives
Developing and implementing a public education campaign relating to the federal pardon process, to promote research results, recommendations, and other Center publications and materials on the topic of federal pardons
Advising Center leadership, staff, and fellows and acting as a thought partner based on the fellow’s expertise and experience
Drafting internal and supporting materials, including internal research memos and talking points
As needed, supervising student researchers to produce deliverables and complete tasks, ensuring quality and timeliness
Salary and Benefits
In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary is $150,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. You will be an employee of New York University, with access to an excellent, comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off and retirement contributions.
The Center has physical office space at NYU School of Law in New York, but also offers hybrid or remote work arrangements from within the US.
JD
A minimum of five years post-graduate work experience
Prior experience working on pardon issues, clemency, expungement, sentencing, criminal justice reform or related issues is a plus but not required
Required Skills:
Excellent research and writing skills, including the ability to express precise, complex information in a way that is clear and compelling
A commitment to the mission of the Center
Excellent interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to work well with different types of individuals and teams to achieve results
Experience working successfully in coalition or collaborative spaces with partners
Strong project management skills and a proven track record of executing complex tasks in a timely fashion
Highly self-motivated and able to take initiative
Some management experience preferred, but not required
Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to Interfolio via apply.interfolio.com/188174 Applications are rolling with a final submission deadline of July 10.
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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
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