2023 Legal Fellowship (School-Funded)

National Center for Youth Law

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation’s approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves. 

Position

NCYL seeks to sponsor candidates to apply for fellowships offered by their law schools starting in 2023. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus: Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Health, Mental Health, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Immigration.

Our campaigns weave together multiple strategies, including:

• Impact litigation  
• Legislative and policy development and advocacy  
• Partnerships with public agencies  
• Demonstration sites in which we work directly with children, youth and families  
• Coalition building  
• Building the capacity of community-based organizations  

Candidates may, but need not, have a specific fellowship project in mind. We will work with fellowship candidates to develop proposals, as appropriate.

Essential Functions

• In collaboration with NCYL staff, develop a proposal for a project that advances justice for children and youth, as appropriate and needed 
• Apply to law school fellowships in consultation with NCYL staff 
• Once a fellowship is awarded, join NCYL as a fellow in September 2023 
• Implement the fellowship project under supervision from NCYL staff 

Qualifications

• Eligible for a fellowship from your law school that would provide at least $35,000 in support.  
• Interest in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus. 
• Commitment to advancing justice by protecting the rights of children and youth and improving the systems that impact their lives. 
• Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Ability to work independently and on a team. 

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position requires the ability to work remotely and may require some travel.

Salary, Benefits and Location

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary of $76,313.00 annually. A geographic salary differential may be applied if a candidate resides somewhere other than the Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, or Washington, DC areas.

NCYL provides robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan and short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Candidates must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington DC or Wisconsin.

Note: It is possible that by the start of the Fellowship in September 2023, NCYL will require people to work in an office, in which case they will need to be in a location where they can commute to a NCYL office regularly (DC, Los Angeles, Oakland or Sacramento).

How to Apply 

Submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and a list of three references. No phone calls or emails, please.

Apply at:  https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1497468

Applications will be accepted through June 24, 2023.  We will contact candidates on a rolling basis as applications are received.

Applicants with lived experience within any of our practice areas, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.