June 27. 2017
ArchCity Defenders Law and Policy Fellowship Program
Deadline: Friday, July 31st, 2017
ArchCity Defenders is pleased to invite applications for sponsorship of an Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Soros and/or similar programs for the fellowship period beginning in September 2018.
About the Organization
ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit civil rights law firm providing holistic legal advocacy to the homeless and combatting the criminalization of poverty and state violence against poor people and people of color. ACD uses direct services, impact litigation, and policy and media advocacy as its primary tools to promote justice, protect civil and human rights, and bring about systemic change on behalf of the poor and communities of color directly impacted by the abuses of the legal system.
About the Call for Applications
We are open to proposals from dedicated law students who are committed to racial and social justice legal work in St. Louis. Specifically, we are interested in project proposals in any of the following areas:
Homelessness
We seek a fellow interested in challenging discrimination against and marginalization of people experiencing homelessness in St. Louis. Possible areas of concentration may include providing holistic legal advocacy to people with quality-of-life citations, enforcing constitutional standards, local government advocacy to challenge municipalities’ efforts that violate the homeless resident’s constitutional rights, or community advocacy and education.
Debtors’ Prisons/Fines & Fees/Cash Bail
We seek a fellow interested in advocacy and litigation on the unlawful use of cash bail as well as the excessive imposition of fees and fines by courts on low-income St. Louis residents for municipal infractions. Possible areas of concentration may include providing community education on the right to an ability to pay hearing, legal advocacy and/or limited scope representation to address barriers to hearings, or challenging the use of arrest warrants as a debt collection tool by municipalities.
Economic Injustice/Eviction Defense
We seek a fellow interested in community outreach and education, advocacy, and litigation to fight the predatory consumer practices and high volume of evictions that disproportionately impact low-income communities of color across the St. Louis region. This fellowship would explore the intersection of housing, economic mobility, and racial justice.
Educational Equity
We seek a fellow interested in improving the educational opportunities for marginalized or vulnerable students in low-income communities of color within the St. Louis region. Possible areas of concentration may include providing impact litigation, coalition-building and community education on student’s rights, or administrative advocacy to improve policies and practices at target school districts.
Application Details
Candidates are strongly encouraged to highlight their demonstrated interest and enthusiasm to work in St. Louis and/or on any of the issues above, and to include their own ideas in their application. Compelling projects build on our and your experience and skills, and generally combine impact litigation and/or policy advocacy with community partnerships through activities such as coalition-building, outreach, education, and/or technical assistance to grassroots organizations.
ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Arch City encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.
ArchCity Defenders will accept applications through July 31, 2017. Please include a detailed cover letter describing your interest in the organization and in working on any of the above issue areas, as well as your commitment to St. Louis and/or issues faced by residents living in the region. Please also attach your resume, a list of three references, a writing sample, and your law school transcript.
Candidates should submit applications via email to LaVell Thompson at lthompson@archcitydefenders.org.
To print out a copy of the Fellowship Announcement, click here.