2024 Legal Fellow

National Center for Youth Law   

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves. 

Description 

NCYL seeks to sponsor applicants for the Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Soros, Bridge, Justice Catalyst and other fellowships. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus: Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Health, Mental Health, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Immigration.  

Our campaigns weave together multiple strategies, including: 

• Impact litigation 
• Legislative and policy development and advocacy 
• Partnerships with public agencies 
• Demonstration sites in which we work directly with children, youth and families 
• Coalition building 
• Building and supporting the capacity of communities and community-based organizations to engage in advocacy 

Fellowship Focus Areas 

NCYL advocates for children and youth across multiple public systems, and the work is sorted into focus areas. Candidates may, but need not, have a specific fellowship project in mind. We will work with fellowship candidates to develop appropriate project proposals.  

If you are certain that you want to pursue a fellowship focused on a specific NCYL focus area, please specify in your application which of the below-listed areas you prefer. However, it is not necessary to identify a specific NCYL focus area; you can also specify if you do not have a preference. NCYL will host and develop projects with candidates both with and without a preferred Focus Area, as appropriate. 

if you wish to develop a fellowship project with NCYL staff, please choose from among the below NCYL Focus Areas and include it in your application (choose only one): 

• Education 
• Juvenile Justice 
• Child Welfare 
• Immigration  
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation  
• Health 
• Mental Health 

Essential Functions 

• In collaboration with NCYL staff, develop a proposal for a project that advances justice for children and youth who have been marginalized. 
• Develop a fellowship project in partnership with NCYL staff. 
• Apply to the public interest fellowships for which NCYL agrees to sponsorship. 
• Once a fellowship is awarded, join NCYL as a fellow in September 2024. 
• Implement the fellowship project under the supervision of NCYL staff. 
• Respond to requests for assistance from the public and Qualified Legal Services Projects. 
• Attend organizational and team meetings and retreats. 

Qualifications 

• Graduating from law school in Spring 2024 or have been clerking since graduating from law school in a prior year.  
• Interest in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus.  
• Commitment to advancing justice by protecting the rights of children and youth and improving the systems that impact their lives.  
• Commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  

Physical Requirements 

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position requires the ability to work remotely and requires some travel. 

Salary, Benefits and Location 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary of $76,313.00 annually. A geographic salary differential may be applied if a candidate resides somewhere other than the Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, or Washington, DC areas.  

NCYL provides robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan and short-term and long-term disability insurance. 

Candidates must reside in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Wisconsin or Washington, DC at the time the fellowship begins in September 2024.  

This position is eligible for 100% remote work through December 31, 2023. It is possible that starting in January of 2024, NCYL will require people to work in an office, in which case they will need to be in a location where they can commute to a NCYL office regularly (DC, Los Angeles, Oakland, or Sacramento). 

How to Apply 

Submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and a list of three references.   

Apply using the link below. No phone calls or emails, please. 

Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1734579 

Applications will be accepted through June 19, 2023. Please do not expect to be contacted until after this date.  

Applicants with lived experience within any of our practice areas, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.