OVERVIEW OF THE HOUSING JUSTICE PROGRAM
The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program is a pilot program comprised of Legal Fellows and Housing Organizers who, over the course of a two-year fellowship term, will be part of a targeted initiative to address the justice gap in the Commonwealth of Virginia through responsive, context-specific innovations and interventions focused on housing justice. Specifically, Legal Fellows and Housing Organizers will serve at one of the participating legal services organizations in the Greater Richmond Region and work as a unified front to fight a variety of injustices related to housing instability and involuntary displacement in Virginia, particularly due to eviction.
FELLOWSHIP SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION:
A collaboration of Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Legal Aid Justice Center, and Virginia Poverty Law Center seeks six (6) public interest attorneys to participate in a two-year fellowship program. All Fellows will provide direct legal services (including impact litigation), strategic partnership building, outreach & education, and sustainable policy changes. Specifications on the following areas by legal services organization is identified below:
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
• Three (3) Legal Fellows – two at the Richmond office and one in the Petersburg office.
• Emphasis on providing high quality individual legal representation and legal advice to financially eligible individuals and their families. This will likely involve conducting interviews, obtaining evidence, researching relevant law, drafting and filing pleadings, and representing clients in court and other legal proceedings.
• Within the limits of Legal Services Corporation regulations, Fellows may engage in impact litigation that derives from individual representation.
Legal Aid Justice Center
• One (1) Legal Fellow at the Richmond office.
• Provide legal assistance and representation for residents with an emphasis on conventional public housing, and an eye to leveraging individual cases to create impact campaigns.
• Support public and subsidized housing tenants’ efforts to build collective power.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of impact litigation and sustainable policy changes.
Virginia Poverty Law Center
• Two (2) Legal Fellows at the Richmond office.
• Emphasis on providing community lawyering, outreach & education, and systemic advocacy.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of impact litigation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications
• Ability to attend Equal Justice Works’ Annual Leadership Development Training in Washington, D.C. from October 22-24, 2019.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal Fellow will possess a demonstrated commitment to public interest work and a strong desire to assist indigent clients. Further, the ideal candidate will have the following:
• Virginia State Bar license or licensure by July 15, 2019 is preferred.
• Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Strong oral and negotiation skills, and the ability to work as a team member;
• Prior experience in managing independent projects or assignments;
• Diverse economic, social and cultural experiences and a second language are preferred;
• Prior experience in community/movement lawyering or community organizing preferred;
• Law school clinic, externship, summer, or other relevant practice experience;
• Knowledge of housing benefits law and/or experience with housing and benefits agencies.
Candidates may apply for positions at some, or all, of the host organizations, and must indicate which one(s).
Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample – to Ann Voss, [email protected].
Each employer listed here is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences and communities to apply.