About the Legal Aid Justice Center:
The Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization that partners with communities and clients to achieve justice by dismantling the systems that create and perpetuate poverty. Justice means racial justice, economic justice, and social justice.
From its offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Falls Church, LAJC is a fierce advocate for low-income clients and communities in Central and Northern Virginia, and its work broadly impacts the entire state. Just in the past year, we reached a settlement agreement with the Federal government putting in place important protections for detained people from the threat of COVID-19 at ICA-Farmville Detention Center, including a dramatic reduction in the number of people who can legally be held at the facility; we (together with Virginia Poverty Law Center, Legal Aid Works, and pro bono partners Consumer Litigation Associates and Kelly Guzzo, PLC) succeeded in getting the Virginia Employment Commission to release more than one billion dollars in “stopped” payments to nearly 180,000 Virginians; we fought the reinstatement of presumptions against bail, which result in accused persons being held in jail until their case is resolved; conducted outreach to thousands of farmworkers around the Commonwealth, organized alongside workers and community coalitions in rural and urban areas throughout the state, and recovered significant monetary damages on behalf of victimized workers; and in 2022, the Fund Our Schools Coalition, of which LAJC is a founding member, won the largest ever investment in the At-Risk Add On ($145 million), which will supplement funding at high-poverty schools.
Founded in 1967, LAJC provides services under six key program areas: Civil Rights & Racial Justice, Economic Justice, Youth Justice, and Immigrant Advocacy.
The Civil Rights and Racial Justice Program (CRRJ) works to end the criminalization of poverty in Virginia by exposing and addressing criminal legal system policies that target people because of poverty and race.
The Housing and Consumer Justice Program (HCJP) defends tenants' rights, fights mass eviction, and dismantles legal and other barriers to safe and affordable housing in addition to protecting consumers who have been targeted by predatory merchants and lenders by providing them with legal support and advocating for systemic reforms.
The Health Justice and Public Benefits Program (HJPBP) promotes health equity by dismantling legal and financial barriers to healthcare access and advancing people's rights in the administration of public benefits programs, such as unemployment, food stamps, cash assistance, and disability insurance.
The Youth Justice Program (YJP) partners with youth, their families, and their communities to achieve racial justice, social justice, and economic justice for all young people by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty.
Our Immigrant Justice Program (IJP) supports low-income immigrants across the state in their efforts to find justice and fair treatment through representation in legal proceedings, legal advice regarding their rights, helping them take steps to empower themselves and prepare for the worst, recovery of unpaid wages they have earned, combatting workplace and housing discrimination, and fighting for civil rights.
The Worker Justice Program (WJP) provides legal services, resources, and community legal education to low-income workers in remote areas of the state, including farmworkers and seafood workers, poultry and meatpacking workers, and other immigrant and migrant workers.
LAJC boldly tackles issues of systemic injustice and aims to raise public and policymaker awareness of some of the most pressing challenges facing low-income Virginia residents. For more information, visit www.justice4all.org or read our Strategic Plan here.
Required Qualifications:
All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In reviewing applications, we look for evidence that applicants have experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized populations.
Current 1Ls and 2Ls are eligible to apply
Minimum work commitment for all position is 400 hours (10 weeks x 40 hours/week)
Location: This role will be based in our Charlottesville, Falls Church, Petersburg, or Richmond offices. Occasional travel between offices will be required. Although a regular presence in the office is required, LAJC offers a remote work policy to support employees in co-creating schedules and arrangements that allow us all to do our best work.
A Note to Potential Candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.
Application Deadline: March 11, 2024. We accept applications on a rolling basis and encourage candidate to apply as soon as possible. Please direct questions to Maisie Osteen, Attorney and Internship & Fellowship Coordinator, by email to [email protected]
Salary: This position is unpaid. However, LAJC will support the student’s application to any funding opportunity identified by the student, including by providing letters of support.
Application Instructions: Complete the online application. This position requires a cover letter and resume. You can direct the cover letter to Maisie Osteen, Attorney and Internship & Fellowship Coordinator, by email to [email protected]
Vaccination Requirement: The Legal Aid Justice Center requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption as a qualification of employment. Proof of vaccination or accommodation request must be provided within one day of employment.
The Legal Aid Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer, 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. The Legal Aid Justice Center is committed to strengthening the voices of our low-income clients, working in collaboration with community partners, and rooting out the inequities that keep people in poverty. We strive to take on the issues that have broad impact on our client communities and to be responsive to client input. Recognizing the particular impact of racism on our clients and staff, we devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In reviewing applications, we look for evidence that applicants have experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized populations.
Online using the following links:
Charlottesville, Virginia Location: secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?showjob=503761543
Falls Church, Virginia Location: secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?showjob=503764063
Richmond, Virginia Location: secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?showjob=503764064
Petersburg, Virginia Location: secure6.saashr.com/ta/6191828.careers?showjob=503764065