Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (“ABLE”) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (“LAWO”) are eager to host 3L or recent law graduate candidates for fellowships for 2021-2023. Candidates for fellowships are encouraged to develop and bring forward proposals for work in an area of poverty law in one of the following areas (development of a full proposal will be in collaboration with ABLE and LAWO attorneys):
• Access to Meaningful and Appropriate Education
• Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights
• Healthcare and Public Benefits
• Housing and Community Economic Development
• Stability and Independence for Survivors
• Meaningful Access to Justice
• Medical-Legal Partnership
• Reentering Citizens
Project proposals should focus on legal advocacy on behalf of disenfranchised individuals, groups, or issues not adequately represented in our legal system. Applications should describe how the project proposes to meet the unmet needs of underserved populations or remove barriers to opportunity.
Successful candidates will have a demonstrated interest in public interest law, strong academic records, excellent organization and communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to handle a demanding workload. Candidates for the 2021-2023 fellowship must be eligible to take the Ohio Bar Exam in July of 2021. Applicants who are recently admitted to practice law in Ohio, or who are recently licensed in another state and eligible for temporary admission before taking the Ohio Bar Exam, will also be considered.
ABLE and LAWO encourage applicants to apply as early as possible – fellowship programs are competitive, and we want ample time to work with successful applicants to develop a compelling project to submit to the funder. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their area of interest and project idea, resume, writing sample, most recent (unofficial or official) transcript, and three references to [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than July 15, 2020. More fully developed proposals may also be included. Please include the following in the subject line of the email: 2021-2023 Fellowship Application.
Applications will be reviewed as received. ABLE and LAWO will work closely with successful applicants to develop their project and navigate the fellowship process. If selected, candidates should be prepared to move quickly to develop their project proposal for submission to the outside fellowship sponsor on or before September 14, 2020. Final selection of fellows is contingent on the sponsor’s selection of a candidate’s proposal.