Legal Fellowship with CSAJ
Organizational Description
CSAJ Legal Fellows will contribute to groundbreaking initiatives:
The Consumer Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors Initiative (CRI) is a national project of CSAJ that enhances economic justice for survivors of domestic violence by building the capacity of and building partnerships between domestic violence and consumer lawyers and advocates across the nation.
The Racial & Economic Equity for Survivors Project (REEP) is a national project that seeks to remedy the systemic inequalities facing survivors of color and shift the current violence against women paradigm. In partnership with diverse anti-poverty, race equity, and violence against women practitioners, REEP will engage communities in identifying inequalities and employing impact legal and policy strategies that facilitate access to economic opportunity for survivors of color.
Position Description
CSAJ Legal Fellows will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge and special project to advance CSAJ’s mission.
Contributing to one or both of the above initiatives, Legal Fellows will work in partnership with lawyers and advocates for survivors of domestic violence across the country, conduct impactful research, and develop legal advocacy materials and tools to assist attorneys and advocates in accessing economic justice for survivors of intimate partner violence.
CSAJ is composed of a small team of dedicated advocates in the legal, social work, and academic fields who are wholly committed to creative vision, open communication, and justice-minded social change work. While CSAJ Legal Fellows are able to enjoy the flexibility and convenience of telecommuting, they can also participate in weekly staff meetings with the organization’s leadership, take part in all of CSAJ’s trainings, and receive supervision and support from the Board of Directors as needed.
Possible projects include:
Expand research or create legal advocacy resources on a state compendium of legislative language related to “economic abuse.”
Conduct research and write an advocacy brief on: innovative programs and practices that help survivors avoid predatory lending (including payday loans); confidentiality protections in bankruptcy
Compile case law of successful coerced debt defenses for survivors, working closely with CSAJ’s Expert Advisors.
Work with CSAJ’s Legal & Policy Director to conduct policy analysis and develop resources for our Race and Economic Equity Project, including: conduct research, edit and co-author resources and tools, support training, develop legislative and policy analysis and recommendations, and collaborate with a diverse coalition of partners.
Propose a Legal or Policy Research Project to contribute and advance CSAJ’s project activities. Get to know CSAJ and pitch us your idea!
Areas of law may include, but are not limited to: credit repair and reporting, debt collection defense, housing and foreclosure, employment rights, eviction prevention and defense, court administration and barriers, custody and family law issues, economic relief in protection orders, federal taxes, public benefits, civil rights, race equity, and more.
This is an unpaid fellowship for Summer/Fall 2017, with the possibility of extending the term. Coordinating an externship with the Fellow’s Law School is possible.
Qualifications
Law student completing their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of law school.
Demonstrated ability to work independently; Experience with remote/virtual office environments preferred.
Strong legal research skills.
Excellent writing skills.
Attention to detail, a self-starter, and excellent organization skills.
Ability to organize, coordinate, and implement a collaborative project, involving multiple contributors, from start to finish.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest law.
Experience with advocating for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault a plus.
Experience with anti-poverty and economic justice policy or direct advocacy a plus.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Sara Wee at sarawee@csaj.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Start dates flexible; Fellows can start immediately or in January 2018.
Accepting multiple legal fellows! And CSAJ welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.