The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) is currently accepting applications from law students for two (2) fall semester 2023 clerkship positions.
Over fifty years ago, the Fair Housing Act and the Housing and Urban Development Act were signed into law to expand housing opportunities for marginalized communities and to redress racially motivated, discriminatory laws and policies. Unfortunately, far too many of our neighbors continue to face discriminatory policies that are oppressive and create extraordinary hurdles to accessing affordable, clean, decent, and sanitary housing.
Where we live has a powerful impact on our educational opportunities, employment opportunities, and our mental and physical health. The current public health crisis and the ongoing organizing for a more just union have only reinforced the importance of having a place to call home.
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1968, NHLP has contributed to many critical changes to federal housing policy and programs that have increased housing opportunities and improved housing conditions for communities of color and low-income people. NHLP is a legal advocacy center focused on increasing, preserving, and improving affordable housing; expanding and enforcing the rights of low-income tenants and homeowners; and increasing housing opportunities through fair housing and civil rights laws. We provide technical assistance to attorneys representing clients who live in federally-subsidized housing, as well as policy support at the federal, state, and local level. We believe that access to safe, decent, and affordable housing is a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by everyone. Find out more about NHLP and our work at www.nhlp.org.
The National Housing Law Project is committed to an environment of inclusion and equitable opportunity for members of the Housing Justice Network, our partner organizations, clients, staff, and board. We seek to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially people with lived experiences impacted by housing insecurity and discrimination, or who have experienced the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination. We actively promote mutual respect, acceptance, appreciation and teamwork across all lines of difference.
NHLP’S FALL LAW CLERK PROGRAM
NHLP is committed to training law students who are making a commitment to careers in public interest. NHLP truly values the contributions of its law clerks and aims to ensure that each clerk has a meaningful and rewarding experience. Working at NHLP provides a great opportunity for law students to become engaged in local, state and national housing rights issues that are central to broader social justice efforts. NHLP provides a unique perspective on housing issues by supporting direct legal services attorneys and others who are advocating for solutions to broader, systemic housing issues. NHLP does not provide direct services to clients, so clerks at NHLP do not work with individual clients.
Our attorneys provide supervision, training, and unique work opportunities in the multi-faceted area of housing law and policy. Clerks are supervised by 1 to 2 staff attorneys, and often contribute to organization-wide projects as well. NHLP’s work is intersectional, meaning that clerks can gain experience in housing policy through the lens of our focus areas, including:
● Preserving affordable housing;
● Promoting housing rights for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and trafficking;
● Advocating for the rights of persons who have had contact with the criminal legal system;
● Preventing foreclosure;
● Advancing fair and equal access to housing free from discrimination;
● Ensuring immigrant individuals and families can access and maintain affordable housing, and;
● Providing housing opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Our recent clerks have assisted with important work such as providing testimony before a state fair housing council regarding proposed regulations; drafting comments and advocacy letters to federal agencies; and writing legal memos on cutting-edge issues impacting federally assisted housing.
Clerks will have opportunities to be a part of affirmative impact litigation, amicus brief writing and other legal writing, and strengthen their policy advocacy skills. Additionally, NHLP invites clerks to attend coalition meetings and advocacy calls; provides training opportunities; and hosts a brownbag where staff attorneys discuss a range of topics, such as substantive work areas and career planning. Several NHLP law clerks have returned to our organization as post-graduate fellows.
NHLP is happy to work with students who will be receiving credit, work study, or a stipend from their schools for their clerkship. Additionally, NHLP is unable to provide funding for clerks.
Ideal candidates must possess the following:
● Ability to develop outstanding research and writing skills;
● A strong commitment to working on issues that impact low-income and marginalized populations, and;
● An ability to work independently as well as a member of a team.
To apply, please send a cover letter, a resume, a self-edited writing sample, and three references to: Stacey Tutt, [email protected]. Please use “2023 Fall Law Clerk Application” as the email’s subject. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.