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NATIONAL JUVENILE DEFENDER CENTER: 2018 SUMMER LAW CLERK [APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS AND CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE]
NJDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting justice for all children by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense. NJDC provides national leadership on strengthening juvenile defense and affording due process to young people in the delinquency system through training, technical assistance, policy development, community-building, leadership opportunities, legislative advocacy, litigation support, and research. NJDC works to elevate the voices of youth, families, and defenders to create positive case outcomes and meaningful opportunities for children. NJDC also works with broad coalitions to ensure that the reform of juvenile courts includes the protection of children’s rights – particularly the right to counsel.
Responsibilities: Law Clerks will assist on a wide range of juvenile defense projects. Responsibilities will include researching and writing on issues related to juvenile justice, with a particular emphasis on juvenile defense. Assignments could include: assisting with the drafting of publications regarding juvenile defense issues; evaluating current and proposed federal or state legislation related to juvenile justice; addressing the special needs of discrete client populations (e.g., girls; LGBTQ-GNC youth; and youth of color); developing training materials for juvenile court professionals; helping to organize a national conference of juvenile defenders around the country; and opportunities to observe juvenile court practice and/or facilities.
Who: Current law students
When: Summer 2018
Requirements:
- Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
- An ability to work
- Applicants should have experience with, or demonstrated interest in juvenile defense, juvenile justice, criminal justice, civil rights, and/or youth
Submission components: (1) Cover letter; (2) resume; (3) law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable); and (4) short (approx. 250 words) summary and analysis of the landmark juvenile rights case In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967)
- Send to: inquiries@njdc.info
- *Subject line “Law Clerk Application – [Last Name]”
- *Send as single PDF file
Additional information: The NJDC is also excited to share the updated 2017 version of our Juvenile Defense Policy and Practice Career Resource Guide, which is intended to help law students prepare for a career in juvenile defense or juvenile justice policy reform.
- Many law students, even those who are interested in criminal law, are not aware that juvenile defense, as a specialized practice, is a viable career option, and one that draws on many of the same motivations and skills as criminal defense. Those students who are aware of juvenile defense have told us they find it difficult to prepare for the job search in this field.
- To that end, NDJC created this Career Resource Guide, which we hope will raise the profile of and help students prepare for a career in juvenile defense or juvenile justice policy reform. The Guide includes information on coursework and externships that will help strengthen a candidate’s application in the juvenile defense field; resources to guide in the search for juvenile defense jobs, fellowships, and funding opportunities; and a list of offices around the country that provide employment and internship opportunities specific to juvenile defense.
BERTHA JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP [DEADLINE: OCT. 9, 2017]
The Bertha Justice Fellowship at the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is a two-year program for emerging lawyers who are interested in gaining both practical experience working on CCR cases and a theoretical understanding of how legal advocacy can create social change.
The Bertha Fellows will be assigned to work alongside lawyers in one of our three docket areas: (1) Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative; (2) Government Misconduct/Racial Justice; and (3) International Human Rights. There may also be opportunities to do work that straddles different dockets.
Bertha Fellows at CCR are sponsored by the Bertha Foundation, which hosts emerging lawyers at several legal organizations across the world. In addition to gaining legal experience on CCR cases, Bertha Fellows at CCR will have opportunities to (1) attend regional and international meetings, (2) network with lawyers from around the world and (3) receive additional mentoring and non-traditional training such as leadership, media and advocacy, activism and movement building.
Who: Emerging lawyers (0-2 years out of law school)
When: CCR will host four Bertha Fellows, starting in Sept. 2018 and this position requires a 2-year commitment from Sept. 2018 to Sept. 2020
Application Package: Please see the application package for more information and instructions on how to apply, available @ fiulawcareer.fiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2018BerthaFellowship_ApplicationPackage.pdf
*Please keep in mind that these are separate positions, so applicants who choose to apply for more than one should follow the instructions in each job description.
Additional Information: Available @ ccrjustice.org/home/get-involved/jobs/2018-bertha-justice-fellowships
◊ If you have any QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK, please email lawcareer@fiu.edu ◊