Fall 2023 Legal Fellowship Program
Legal Fellowship Program
Seeking Candidates to Sponsor for Fall 2023
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) seeks motivated rising third year law students and recent law graduates with a record of commitment to social justice, and excellent writing, legal research and communication skills, to sponsor for Legal Fellowships beginning in the Fall of 2023, including Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, and any other relevant fellowships.
NCLEJ advances the cause of economic and racial justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities across the country, using ground-breaking impact litigation, policy advocacy, and support for grassroots organizing. NCLEJ fights to end systemic discrimination against people of color, women, sexual and gender minorities, immigrants, and people with disabilities, and works to build systems that provide economic security and opportunity to all. Our current advocacy is focused on 1) preserving and maintaining access to government benefits; 2) protecting and advancing the rights of workers; 3) combatting unlawful and racist debt collection and policing; and 4) advocating for people with disabilities.
Fellowship Description: Fellows will join with staff attorneys to support new and ongoing impact litigation and class actions, policy analysis, and advocacy. Previous fellows have had the opportunity to develop facts and research for new litigation; participate in discovery matters in pending litigation; conduct legal and policy research on a variety of issues; participate in settlement negotiations; draft legal briefs; and collaborate with grassroots and community-based organizations across the country.
For applicants seeking project-based fellowships, NCLEJ will work closely with selected applicants to develop project proposals and will provide support throughout the fellowship funding application cycle. Although NCLEJ welcomes new proposals for fellowship projects that fit within NCLEJ’s mission and areas of work, a project proposal is not required to apply for sponsorship. Some potential fellowship project areas may include:
- Advocacy at the intersection of disability and workers’ rights to end the abusive working conditions of New York homecare workers and ensure quality care for consumers;
- Advocacy to ensure access to public benefits in light of operational shifts by government agencies to remote operation and technology driven practices (data matching, multi-factor and biometric authentication, etc.);
- Advocacy to challenge predatory and racially discriminatory policing, fines, and fees.
Qualifications: Applicants must be recent graduates, current judicial law clerks, or forthcoming graduates (by Spring/Summer 2023) of an accredited school of law. Excellent writing and research skills are essential. Applicants must have experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
NCLEJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and people from other historically disenfranchised communities to apply. NCLEJ does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital or parental status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
NCLEJ makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, with full opportunities for fellowships and employment in all positions.
Salary: NCLEJ’s current salary scale calls for a law graduate to receive $69,200 annually.
Benefits: NCLEJ has a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; 15-24 vacation days and 10-15 sick days per year (based on length of service); 13 paid holidays per year; an FSA plan for medical, childcare, and transit expenses; an Employee Assistance Program; and contributions to individuals’ 403(b) plans.
Vaccination Requirement: To help ensure that NCLEJ continues to operate in the safest manner possible, NCLEJ requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
How to apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter setting out why you believe you would be a strong fellowship candidate for sponsorship by NCLEJ and possible projects (whether fully formed or just preliminary ideas) you are interested in, (2) a resume, (3) a writing sample, and (4) three references. Send these materials by e-mail to fellowship@nclej.org. Applications will be accepted until June 27, 2022. We will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview.
NCLEJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying, please contact Leah Lotto at 212-633-6967 or lotto@nclej.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
