Equal Justice Works Fellow

Loyola Marymount University

2d • $71,100 - $88,900 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Law School’s Center for Juvenile Law and Policy (CJLP) houses four live-client in-house clinics providing direct representation. The Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC) is an education and disability rights clinic within CJLP. YJEC provides holistic education advocacy to young people who have been criminalized and pushed out of school due to their vulnerable identities, including race, disability, gender identity, and/or immigration status, and engages in systemic advocacy to dismantle the school-prison nexus. Core to YJEC’s mission is building power in our communities by ensuring that law students, clients, and community members are equipped with tools to advance education justice. YJEC works collaboratively with all system stakeholders, including social workers, defense attorneys (such as the Juvenile Justice Clinic), minor’s counsel, and immigration attorneys to holistically represent youth and ensure that every client has the opportunity to succeed in life.

This position will support the Clinical Director, Supervising Attorney, and Supervising Forensic Social Worker in community outreach, consultation, education, and representation of court-involved young people in rural parts of Los Angeles County and other neighboring rural communities with education-related needs. More specifically, the Graduate Legal Fellow will focus on training and creating resources for rural communities about their rights to challenge suspensions and exclusionary school discipline in efforts to dismantle the school-prison nexus.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree and California Bar membership (or pending Bar results)
• Must possess tenacity and dedication, outstanding lawyering skills, excellent written and oral communication abilities, a successful track record of working effectively with diverse and vulnerable client populations from different culture, geographic, and economic backgrounds, including individuals with a history of severe trauma, and a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• Strong organizational and time management skills are essential.
• Professionalism is paramount, including an ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, and seek guidance when appropriate.
• Demonstrated computer competency and preferably knowledgeable of case management systems.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish-speaking ability is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct holistic legal representation to YJEC clients, with a particular emphasis on challenging suspensions and exclusionary discipline for court-involved youth in rural communities.
• Attend administrative education proceedings (IEP meetings, due process hearings, expulsion hearings) to directly represent YJEC clients.
• During periods of student absence, the fellow will be partially responsible for client representation, including communication with clients, litigation, and attendance at court hearings.
• Coordinate with existing community partners and build relationships with new partners in rural communities to develop trainings, workshops, and consultation clinics regarding education rights of court-involved youth.
• Create education-related know your rights resources for rural communities based on their needs.
• Provide support for policy, litigation, and advocacy efforts surrounding the education and disability-related needs of court-involved youth in rural communities. This may include advocating at local and state policy meetings in alignment with YJEC policy values.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree