Jobs & Internships
Volunteer Law Student Positions
(Term-Time and Summer)
For more than 40 years, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice has advanced the cause of economic justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities through impact litigation, policy analysis, and advocacy in New York and across the country. NCLEJ litigated and still enforces Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254 (1970), the landmark Supreme Court case securing the due process right to a hearing before termination of public assistance. Other Supreme Court cases include King v. Smith, 392 U.S. 309 (1968) (striking down "man-in-the-house" rules); and Califano v. Westcott, 433 U.S. 76 (1979) (barring sex discrimination in welfare programs).
In recent years, NCLEJ has launched projects addressing a wide range of issues in the provision of food stamps, Medicaid, cash assistance, subsidized child care, and other crucial public benefits, including: the unfair treatment of persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency; the enforcement of civil rights and due process protections; and problems associated with privatization and computerization.
Position Description and Qualifications: Students will work with staff attorneys to support ongoing impact litigation, policy analysis, and advocacy. In recent years, students have had the opportunity to assist with fact development and research for new litigation; discovery matters in pending litigation; legal and policy research on a variety of public benefits and issues relating to federal court litigation; and collaborations with organizations based in low-income communities.
Excellent writing and research skills are essential. NCLEJ can provide matching funds for work-study and supports students seeking academic credit. NCLEJ also supports students to whom it has offered a position in seeking funding from outside sources, such as Equal Justice America, www.equaljusticeamerica.org.
NCLEJ is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, 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.
How to Apply: Send a resume, list of references, and short writing sample to student@nclej.org, or by mail to: National Center for Law and Economic Justice, 275 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1506, New York, NY 10001-6708. We will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview.
NCLEJ is Seeking Fellowship Candidates to Sponsor
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice, a national law and policy organization, advances the cause of economic justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities. NCLEJ has provided legal representation and advice to low-income individuals and grassroots organizations and legal support for their advocates on economic justice matters since 1965, and is involved in ground-breaking, successful litigation and policy work around the country today.
NCLEJ is interested in sponsoring new projects that address such issues as unfair treatment of persons with disabilities, the enforcement of critical civil rights and due process protections in the Food Stamp, Medicaid and welfare programs, and the protection of low wage workers. Fellows have helped get a number of these projects off the ground.
We now seek energetic, motivated candidates with a record of commitment to social justice work, experience in developing and implementing projects, and excellent writing, legal research and communication skills, to apply for NCLEJ sponsorship for applications for Skadden and Equal Justice Works fellowships. We also welcome applications from individuals who are eligible for any other relevant fellowships, such as those connected to specific schools or organizations, and are interested in NCLEJ's sponsorship. A public policy background would be helpful, but is not required. Applicants should be prepared to satisfy bar admission requirements.
NCLEJ welcomes applications describing possible projects that fit within NCLEJ's mission and areas of work as described above. We also welcome applications from individuals who have not themselves formulated a project; if we select the applicant we will work with that person to develop a project in an area where interesting new work is emerging, such as:
- Protecting the rights of persons with disabilities: As the welfare rolls shrink, a large proportion of those remaining (or those who should qualify for benefits but do not) are persons with disabilities. Much can be done to provide accommodations and remove barriers so those persons can receive the benefits they need and can participate in education and training programs.
- Assuring accountability in privatized welfare programs. More and more public functions are being contracted out to private entities. Advocacy is needed to assure that private programs using public funds are accountable to the public and work for the benefit of those in need.
- Promoting access to child care and educational opportunities. While child care and education may be essential for low-income parents seeking to enter or remain in the workforce and earn sufficient income to provide for their families, child care subsidy programs often place barriers in their way and educational opportunities are blocked. There is much that can be accomplished by creative and persistent advocacy.
- Seeking implementation of the 2006 Deficit Reduction Act in ways that help families move out of poverty. The 2006 Act requires states to greatly increase the work involvement of public benefits recipients. The Fellow would work with advocates in various states to influence the choices states make and how they implement them.
- Promoting access to critical work supports through the workforce development system. The New York City workforce development system is flawed, and there is often no meaningful cooperation between the welfare and workforce development systems. Consequently, many un- and under-skilled individuals who are in critical need of skills-development and work supports (such as Food Stamps and Medicaid) cannot access these services and supports. The Fellow would work with advocates throughout New York City to protect the rights of un- and under-skilled individuals to access critical education and skills-development services and work supports.
- Promoting access to Food Stamps for the working poor. In October 2006, the United States Department of Agriculture released data illustrating that the participation rates for the Food Stamp program were well below a satisfactory level (nationally at 50%). The Fellow would develop a project addressing the reasons behind these saddening statistics and work to increase access to Food Stamps through creative and persistent advocacy.
Projects can be national or regional in scope, or focused on the New York City area, and can include impact litigation, legal and policy advocacy, training and community education. Direct service projects involving extensive client intake, individual representation, or hot-lines will not be considered.
NCLEJ welcomes inquiries from law students entering their third year or recent graduates who would like to discuss developing a project. Please note that both Skadden and Equal Justice Works have specific eligibility criteria. Please refer to the respective websites for further information.
Please submit (1) a cover letter setting out why you believe you would be a good candidate for such a fellowship, and your ideas about what you would hope to accomplish in such a fellowship, (2) a resume, (3) a writing sample, and (4) three references. Send these materials by e-mail to fellowship (at) nclej.org or by mail to Fellowship Applications, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, 275 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1506, New York NY 10001-6708. Your application will be acknowledged by e-mail.
