Sponsorship Opportunity: Fall 2027 Civil Rights Fellowship

Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs • Washington, DC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs welcomes fellowship proposals from law students and law clerks committed to racial justice and interested in civil rights impact litigation and advocacy. The Committee seeks proposals for fellowships in any of our core practice areas, several of which often overlap. These include disability rights, education, fair housing, police accountability, prisoners’ rights, and workers’ rights. The fellowship would begin in the Fall of 2027. Legal fellows must secure their own funding through Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, or other sources. We are particularly interested in fellowship projects that center racial justice, have a systemic or broad-based dimension, and incorporate litigation into the theory of change. As noted, we welcome proposals addressing any of our issue areas; below are the kinds of potential projects that the Committee would be interested in supporting: Litigating against the Federal Bureau of Prisons on behalf of people who are abused by federal officials while incarcerated, Challenging the criminal legal system’s treatment of people with mental health disabilities, Challenging the school to prison pipeline and the criminalization of youth of color and youth with disabilities, Reducing accessibility barriers to public services, including housing, and public accommodations for people with disabilities. Fellows are provided with robust opportunities to lead their projects, as well as vital supervision and collaboration from Committee litigators. We anticipate working collaboratively with the applicant to develop their proposal.

Requirements

• Law students or law clerks committed to racial justice
• Interested in civil rights impact litigation and advocacy
• Secure own funding through Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, or other sources
• Fellowship projects that center racial justice, have a systemic or broad-based dimension, and incorporate litigation into the theory of change
• Current resume
• Cover letter detailing interest in the Committee and describing the project to be developed
• List of three references
• Legal writing sample
• Unofficial transcript

Nice To Haves

• Proposals addressing disability rights, education, fair housing, police accountability, prisoners’ rights, and workers’ rights
• Litigating against the Federal Bureau of Prisons on behalf of people who are abused by federal officials while incarcerated
• Challenging the criminal legal system’s treatment of people with mental health disabilities
• Challenging the school to prison pipeline and the criminalization of youth of color and youth with disabilities
• Reducing accessibility barriers to public services, including housing, and public accommodations for people with disabilities

Responsibilities

• Help with all aspects of litigation, including investigation and case development, client communication, discovery, motions practice, and trial as part of a team comprised of Committee staff and private bar co-counsel.
• Receive supervision and collaboration from WLC litigators who have experience in individual representation, policy advocacy, and impact and class action litigation.

Benefits

• Generous paid time-off
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave)
• 401k plan
• Professional development
• Telework option – two days per week (Mondays, Fridays)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed