Applications Now Being Accepted for 2012 Fellowship
The Paul M. Dodyk Fellowship for Economic Justice has been established by generous donors to the National Center for Law and Economic Justice in honor of Paul M. Dodyk, past Chair of NCLEJ and a great champion of using the law to promote economic justice and fair and dignified treatment for everyone in our society, regardless of their means. The Fellowship is designed to foster the next generation of lawyers working for economic justice while enhancing NCLEJ’s capacity to serve those who have the least in our society.
Dodyk Fellows will participate in a variety of high-impact legal and policy matters at NCLEJ and assist in developing new matters and areas of work. Candidates with expertise or interest in specific issues are encouraged to inquire about pursuing that work through the Fellowship.
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice
NCLEJ is a national leader in using class action litigation to protect the legal rights of low-income families and individuals entitled to public benefits and work supports and to hold governmental agencies accountable for their administration of these vital public programs. We litigate in federal and state courts across the country and partner with other public interest groups and the private bar. Recent litigation has involved state or local agencies in upstate and downstate New York, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as FEMA (for failing to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina). We also use our expertise to identify and promote the adoption and proper implementation of creative and effective policies to improve public benefit delivery to low-income families and individuals.
The Fellowship will offer recent graduates many opportunities for professional development through participation in various aspects of complex federal and state court litigation, ranging from case planning, to pleading and motion drafting, to discovery, to (upon occasion) trial. While each case is different, recent Fellows and volunteers have been active participants in conducting depositions, developing discovery questions, briefing substantive motions, and interacting with clients. Fellows also participate in the development and pursuit of policy advocacy on a variety of matters.
You can see a video launching the Dodyk Fellowship in which a recent Skadden Fellow at NCLEJ describes her experience (go to www.nclej.org). A description of a recent Equal Justice Works Fellowship at NCLEJ may be seen at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/node/2058.
Criteria for Selection for Paul M. Dodyk Fellows
We seek energetic, motivated candidates with a record of commitment to social justice work, experience in developing and implementing projects, excellent writing, legal research and communication skills, and leadership potential.
Candidates for the Dodyk Fellowship should be at a relatively early stage of their legal careers – law clerks, current or former Skadden, Equal Justice Works, or other Fellows, or the like. Candidates who are currently in their last year of law school who have already had considerable relevant experience will also be considered. Applicants not yet admitted to the bar should be prepared to satisfy bar admission requirements.
NCLEJ is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other consideration prohibited by law. Persons who are of color, are former recipients of public assistance, or have grown up in poverty are especially encouraged to apply.
Term and Starting Date
Dodyk Fellows will typically be offered a two-year term, beginning September 2012, but candidates can request an earlier start date or shorter term. The application period will open on January 10 and applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a final selection has been made and the offer accepted.
Compensation
Fellows will be paid according to NCLEJ’s salary scale, which is currently $56,000 for law grads, and $58,000, $60,000, and $62,500 for people with one, two, and three years experience respectively. Fringe benefits include health, dental, life, and long-term and short-term disability insurance; employer contributions to TDA, cafeteria plan, and generous vacation, sick, family and medical leave and holiday schedules.
Application Instructions and Further Information
Applicants should email a cover letter describing their interests, resume, writing sample, and references to fellowship@nclej.org. If the applicant is interested in working on specific issues, we would be happy to discuss such projects. Examples of possible project areas can be found at www.nclej.org/FellowshipCandidates.php.
Supervision of NCLEJ litigation is provided by counsel with decades of experience in complex litigation in the public interest, public, and private sectors. More information can be found at www.nclej.org or from Henry Freedman, Executive Director, freedman@nclej.org, or Marc Cohan, Director of Litigation, cohan@nclej.org.
National Center for Law and Economic Justice
275 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1506
New York, NY 10001-6860