Law Student Fellow, Community Law Project, EJW Crime Victims Advocacy Program

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sanctuary For Families seeks diverse and dynamic applicants for a 10 week, full-time position at

Sanctuary For Families as an Equal Justice Works Law Student Fellow in the Crime Victims Advocacy Program. Sanctuary For Families has been competitively selected by Equal Justice Works as an implementing partner of Equal Justice Works’ Crime Victims Advocacy Program (CVAP), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Despite the significant expansion of victim assistance services and resources in recent years, access to high-quality civil legal services and victims’ rights enforcement remains limited, especially for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) and other individuals from communities with high levels of disinvestment. 

The Crime Victims Advocacy Program will increase legal assistance to crime victims in BIPOC communities by mobilizing and training a network of 21 committed attorney Fellows and 21 law student Fellows who will serve at selected host organizations across the country, expanding the capacity of participating host organizations to provide legal assistance to victims of crime in BIPOC communities and communities with high levels of disinvestment, through the provision of civil legal assistance and victims’ rights enforcement.

Equal Justice Works Fellowship

An Equal Justice Works Fellowship is an opportunity to transform your passion for justice into a career. As a Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious cohort of attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States. 

As a Law Student Fellow, you will develop experience and skills to be a social justice leader while contributing to a broader community of practice. The Law Student Fellow’s primary duties are to assist the EJW Staff Attorney in providing comprehensive, compassionate legal services through direct representation, advocacy, and consultations on family law matters including custody, visitation, and order of protection cases to CBWLS’s clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support EJW Staff Attorney in providing direct representation to clients in family law matters in Family and Supreme Courts in all 5 boroughs including attending in person and virtual court appearances, court appearances and trial preparation, attending client interview sessions, and litigation related responsibilities;
• With the EJW Staff Attorney, attend legal clinics at community based organizations;
• Assist the EJW Staff Attorney on the Legal Helpline;
• Advocate directly for clients with key stakeholders including but not limited to NYPD, District Attorney’s Office, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), and Division for Homeless Services (DHS);
• Conduct community-based trainings to potential clients and attend outreach and training events;
• Refer clients to the appropriate in-house and external services and track the status of internal and external referrals;
• Foster and maintain relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) that refer clients to the Helpline;
• Provide information regarding and assistance in completing Office of Victim Services crime victim compensation applications;
• Build key stakeholder relationships in furtherance of the fellowship objectives;
• Engage in peer-to-peer learning as part of the Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program Fellow cohort;
• Actively contribute to and participate in Crime Victims Advocacy Program cohort activities (resource exchanges; interactive webinars and conference call with other Cohort and EJW Fellows and Alumni; and in-person trainings;
• Contribute to required programmatic reporting;
• Maintain accurate and updated records of current and potential clients in the agency’s electronic database; and
• Performing any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the Director and Deputy Director;
• Collaborate with the various district attorneys’ offices, other government agencies and community based organizations working to assist victims of gender-based violence;

REQUIREMENTS

• Present law school student, preferably 2L or 3L;
• Fluency in a community language is preferred;
• Ability to work with diverse populations;
• Sensitivity to sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and other gender-related issues;
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Ability to multitask and prioritize;
• Strong ability to work independently;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong communication skills; and
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Budgeted Salary: $7,000

This position is Full-time (35hr/wk) for 10 weeks, Temporary

Work position is currently hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligations hybrid

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)- free service provided to all employees and their families to help resolve personal challenges that may affect well being, family, or career.
• Accrued sick time.