09/26/2023
Equal Justice Works Fellows, Fall Events is just around the corner! Keep an eye on your emails over the next few weeks as we continue to disseminate information about LDT, Scales of Justice, and more.
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09/25/2023
We're excited to present the first-ever Equal Justice Works Distinguished Alumni Award to 2004 Fellow Diego Cartagena, President and CEO of Bet Tzedek Legal Services. “Diego’s accomplishments and commitment to the public interest speak to the true depth of the impact that our Fellows can have, both professionally and in their communities," shared Lynbea Toombs, Director of Alumni Relations.
Join us as we celebrate Diego next month at the 2023 Scales of Justice, October 24th at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.
Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that it will honor Diego Cartagena, President and CEO of Bet Tzedek, as the first ever recipient of the 2023 Equal Justice Works Distinguished Alumni Award at the organization’s Scales ...
09/25/2023
Law students and recent graduates are invited to attend a webinar hosted by Equal Justice Works and public interest advisors to learn more about how to make a lasting impression during virtual interviews: Join us on September 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. ET as we share tips to prepare you for this year's Career Fair.
Registration information and more are available on our website.
Equal Justice Works Career Fair About For Attendees For Employers For Law Students & Recent Graduates For Law School Professionals Employer List Event Schedule Sponsorship Opportunities Resources Select page: About For Attendees -- For Employers -- For ...
09/21/2023
Student loan payments resume in October–are you prepared to enter repayment?
Earlier this summer, as part of the debt ceiling signed by the President, the payment pause that began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will end with no further extensions offered. As a result, interest on student loans will accrue starting on Sept...
09/20/2023
"As an Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by Microsoft and Sidley Austin LLP, I have been working this past year with K-12 school districts throughout New Jersey to help educators understand who unaccompanied children are, the common barriers they face when trying to access K-12 education and services, and the forms of legal immigration status they may be eligible for or may be pursuing," writes 2022 Fellow Erin Sweeney for her host organization, Kids in Need of Defense.
KIND's Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellow, Erin Sweeney, reflects on her work in Newark helping children access education.
09/19/2023
"None of us alone can do the great things that need to be done to make our country and our world what they were intended to be," 2022 Scales of Justice honoree Teresa Wynn Roseborough shared at last year's event. "But if each of us will simply bite off what we can chew, I believe we can achieve equal justice for all."
Scales of Justice 2023 is right around the corner. Check out highlights from our 2022 dinner and find ticketing information for the upcoming event on our website.
Read about the highlights of the 2022 Scales of Justice fundraiser event, which took place in Washington, D.C., on October 11th, 2022.
09/15/2023
The Scales of Justice 2023 is just over one month away! Join us in Washington, D.C., on October 24th as we bring together our community of Fellows, alumni, host organizations, and sponsors to celebrate honoree Jim Chosy, honor Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Diego Cartagena, and raise funds to support our 2024 Text-To-Give Fellow.
Don't miss this inspiring celebration of the public interest law community! Ticketing information is available on our website.
Read about the Scales of Justice fundraising event, this year's honoree, and make a donation to Equal Justice Works here.
09/14/2023
Reflecting on the first year of her Fellowship, 2022 Text-to-Give Fellow Alexandra Zaretsky, hosted by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), shared with us that, "of the 12 cases IRAP and our partners recently filed, four families have already seen movement on their cases, including one family who has been safely reunited in the United States." What's on the horizon for her final year as an Equal Justice Works Fellow? "I hope that more families will be reunited this year, as I continue my work with IRAP to chip away at the Muslim ban," she shared in a new blog.
Alexandra's Fellowship was funded by the generosity of our community over the course of one evening—join us for the 2023 Scales of Justice on October 24 in Washington, D.C., as we introduce our incoming Text-to-Give Fellow and celebrate the power of our community.
2022 Fellow Alexandra Zaretsky recently shared a recap of the first year of her Equal Justice Works Fellowship at the International Refugee Assistance Project. Alexandra's work was funded by donations made during the Text-to-Give campaign at the 2022 Sc...
09/12/2023
Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications are due this evening! Prospective Fellows, be sure to send in your applications by 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. We can't wait to see what the Equal Justice Works Class of 2024 has in store!
09/11/2023
Law students and recent grads, tomorrow is the last day to apply for prescheduled interview slots at the 2023 Equal Justice Works Career Fair! Check out available internship and employment opportunities, table talk discussions, and more on our website.
The Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair is the largest national public interest law career fair connecting you with hundreds of employers.
09/11/2023
Although street vending was decriminalized in California five years ago, vendors–many of whom are immigrants–continue to face prohibitive difficulties. "Vendors have always been exposed, more likely to be the targets of crime," says 2021 Fellow Juan Espinoza Muñoz, hosted by Public Counsel. "The fact that they're in public makes them more vulnerable and therefore should be more protected by cities and governments, but the opposite is true."
Many must contend with cumbersome permitting processes, limits on where they can set up and an uptick in violence, advocates say.
09/09/2023
At the New York Civil Liberties Union, 2020 Fellow Gabriella Larios utilized advocacy, litigation, public education, and outreach to support LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and challenge the use of religion to discriminate against individuals seeking reproductive healthcare.
National Advisory Committee member Leslie Espiricueta recently spoke with Gabriella about her Fellowship for our My Impact series. Visit our website to check out their full conversation and learn more about Gabriella's post-Fellowship plans, her advice for law students, and tips for avoiding burnout.
My Impact is a conversation series from Equal Justice Works, using interviews with alumni to shine a light on what’s possible with an Equal Justice Works Fellowship. National Advisory Committee member Leslie Espiricueta spoke with Gabriella Larios, a 2020 Fellow in the Design-Your-Own Fellowship P...
09/08/2023
Design-Your-Own Fellowships are due this Tuesday, September 12! Prospective Fellows, take the weekend to put the finishing touches on your application materials. Last-minute questions can be sent to [email protected].
09/07/2023
Hosted by Bet Tzedek, 2023 Fellow Elizabeth Machado will combat employment discrimination among undocumented and low-income workers in Los Angeles by building on her host organization's pre-existing partnerships with community organizations and worker centers. "As the daughter of Mexican immigrants and granddaughter of a Bracero farmworker, I came to admire the hard work ethic and resiliency of immigrant workers, and I learned to fiercely protect what workers rightfully earned through their labor, including just pay and respect," she writes in a new blog.
2023 Fellow Elizabeth Machado, hosted by Bet Tzedek Legal Services, shares her upcoming project advocating for low-wage and undocumented workers in Los Angeles
09/06/2023
Attention prospective Fellows: 2024 Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications are due September 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET! As you put your finishing touches on your applications, refer to resources like webinar recordings and sample applications on our website.
This Design-Your-Own Fellowship opportunity allows you to leverage your law degree in service of a community or cause of your choice.
09/05/2023
We're just over one month away from kicking off the 2023 Equal Justice Works Career Fair, the largest public interest legal career fair in the country. Law students and recent graduates have one more week to apply for prescheduled interviews. Visit our website to check out the 365 internship and employment opportunities available this year!
The Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair is the largest national public interest law career fair connecting you with hundreds of employers.
09/04/2023
Scales of Justice 2023 is just 50 days away! Join us at the Mariott Marquis in Washington, D.C. on October 24, 2023 as we honor 2004 Fellow Diego Cartagena with the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award and Scales of Justice Honoree Jim Chosy, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of U.S. Bancorp, for his longtime support of Equal Justice Works.
09/01/2023
Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams will deliver the 65th annual Coen Lecture at Colorado Law on September 28, 2023. Titled "Let's Talk About Race," Williams will examine ongoing efforts to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion programs vis-a-vis the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decisions on SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC, suggesting that DEI programs continue to be necessary and legal.
Learn more about the event, and RSVP to attend virtually or in person on Colorado Law's website.
Verna Williams, the CEO of Equal Justice Works and former dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, will join the Colorado Law community on Sept. 28, 2023 to deliver the 65th annual John R. Coen Lecture. The lecture, co-sponsored by Equal Justice Works, is titled, “Let’s Talk About Ra...
08/30/2023
The largest public interest legal career fair in the country is just around the corner! The Equal Justice Works Career Fair brings together hundreds of law students, recent graduates, public interest employers, law school faculty and staff, and public interest practitioners from across the country and its territories for three days of prescheduled interviews and table talk discussions.
Law students and recent grads, register to attend the Career Fair—now virtual!—on our website.
The Equal Justice Works Career Fair is the largest national public interest legal career fair, boasting 200+ public interest employers.
08/29/2023
Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications are due in two weeks—September 12, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET! Prospective Fellows, don't wait until the last minute to hit "submit": Learn more about how to submit your applications on our website.
An Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create your dream job. This Fellowship opportunity allows you to leverage your law degree in service of a community or cause of your choice. Interested in joining ...
08/24/2023
Employers planning on attending the Equal Justice Career Fair, please note that the deadline for posting positions for prescheduled interviews is TODAY, August 24! More information on this year's event is available on our website.
Equal Justice Works Career Fair About For Attendees For Employers For Law Students & Recent Graduates For Law School Professionals Employer List Event Schedule Sponsorship Opportunities Resources Select page: About For Attendees -- For Employers -- For ...
08/21/2023
Earlier this summer, 2022 Design-Your-Own Fellow Mikayla Mangle—hosted by the Center for Heirs Property—joined 2022 Housing Justice Program Fellow Taylor Rumble and Student Fellows Alyssa Munger and Lindsay Barton, all hosted by Charleston Legal Access, to observe a morning at South Carolina housing court.
"Even though Mikayla isn't under the HJP she wanted to come to check out what we do and observe for the morning," shared Taylor. "It was fun hearing about how she is protecting people's homes in a different way and getting to show her what we do."
08/18/2023
Applications for our 2024 Design-Your-Own Fellowship are due in less than a month. Applicants can find resources like sample applications and instructional webinars on our website—We can't wait to meet the class of 2024!
This Design-Your-Own Fellowship opportunity allows you to leverage your law degree in service of a community or cause of your choice.
08/17/2023
Earlier this year, the Housing Justice Program conducted a needs assessment of 92 legal aid organizations in 29 states to gather information about the state of housing justice after the expiration of post-pandemic tenant protections.
Our research shows that 93% of respondents indicated that their organization does not have the capacity to serve all eligible individuals seeking services and that 45% of respondents also indicated a sharp increase in requests for housing-related services in 2023. Additionally, 93% of respondents expressed interest in hosting a Housing Justice Program Fellow to increase their service capacity: "We could really use help with hiring an EPP [Eviction Prevention Program] Fellow in Columbia, South Carolina," shared one anonymous respondent. "An EJW Fellow would be a revelation!"
While the results of the needs assessment highlight the dire need for more housing justice attorneys, it also captures how the Housing Justice Program is well-positioned to continue to increase the capacity of legal aid organizations serving communities across the country. Since the creation of the Housing Justice Program in 2019, our Fellows have provided legal aid to nearly 4,000 households, securing $2.3 million in economic relief for tenants in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia with plans to expand to new states in 2024.
Visit our website to read more.
The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program conducted a nationwide community needs assessment in May 2023 to understand how organizations are meeting the increasing need for housing legal services. Equal Justice Works distributed this needs assessment to more than 300 partners nationally and rec...
08/16/2023
We're excited to share that Linda Anderson Stanley was recently announced as our new Director of Fellowships! Under her leadership as the associate director of disaster programming, Fellows serving in the Disaster Recovery Legal Corps and the Disaster Resilience Program have provided direct legal services to thousands of clients nationwide, and hundreds of disaster law professionals came together for the first-ever Disaster Resilience Symposium this past March. We look forward to watching Linda step into this new role—join us in congratulating her! 👏
Linda Anderson Stanley is the director of fellowships at Equal Justice Works. Learn about her work here.
08/14/2023
Tomorrow's webinar is one of the last on our schedule before Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications are due in September. Register now to learn how you can craft a competitive application!
Join Equal Justice Works Senior Program Manager Leila Stehlik-Barry in this one-hour session on how to create and submit a strong project proposal for your Design-Your-Own (DYO) Fellowship as the application deadline approaches. This is applicable for a...
08/11/2023
Research demonstrates that regular communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones can lower tension and violent incidents inside jails and prisons, in addition to preparing them for reentry into society. Following a budget amendment made by Governor Maura Healy, Massachusetts is on track to become the fifth state in the country to make phone calls, video calls, and e-messaging free to all.
"For years, prison phone companies have profited off the backs of some of the state’s most economically vulnerable families,” said 2021 Fellow Caroline Cohn, hosted by the National Consumer Law Center. “NCLC will continue working with our allies to ensure that Massachusetts soon joins the growing list of states that no longer force their residents to choose between paying the rent or speaking with their incarcerated loved ones."
Massachusetts is poised to become the third state this year and fifth state overall to make prison calls free.
08/10/2023
2020 Fellow Amy Perry recently completed her Elder Justice Program Fellowship with Equip for Equality, where she advocated for older adults who experienced abuse as subjects of guardianship. When court-appointed guardians are given the power to make financial and personal decisions for protected adults—many of whom have serious health issues that affect their decision-making capabilities—exploitation can go undetected due to the lack of legal oversight required to establish a power of attorney, for example.
Upon completing her Fellowship in April 2023, Amy continues to work with older adults escaping predatory guardianships as an attorney for the Illinois state government and a member of the Office of State Guardian Legislative Committee. A "zealous advocate for older adults," Amy has provided direct assistance to countless older adults in need of a passionate legal advocate.
2020 Elder Justice Program Fellow Amy Perry shares client stories from her work helping older adults exploited as subjects of guardianship.
08/10/2023
The Equal Justice Works Career Fair is fast approaching! Legal aid employers, register now to secure your spot at the nation's largest public interest hiring event to network and interview with prospective interns, externs, and employees.
Equal Justice Works Career Fair About For Attendees For Employers For Law Students & Recent Graduates For Law School Professionals Employer List Event Schedule Sponsorship Opportunities Resources Select page: About For Attendees -- For Employers -- For ...
08/08/2023
One week from today, join senior program manager Leila Stehlik-Barry for the penultimate 2024 Design-Your-Own Fellowship informational webinar!
Join Equal Justice Works Senior Program Manager Leila Stehlik-Barry in this one-hour session on how to create and submit a strong project proposal for your Design-Your-Own (DYO) Fellowship as the application deadline approaches. This is applicable for a...
08/07/2023
2023 Fellows Chris Rogers and Shawntel Williams will soon begin their projects at host organizations Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, advocating for immigrant veterans and low-income API communities, respectively. Both Fellows credit the design of their projects to their clinical experiences in the Workers' Rights Clinic and the Human Trafficking Clinic: "My work with EJW will mirror a lot of what the HTC does, and I hope that both can serve as models for human trafficking-focused legal clinics nationwide," said Shawntel.
Chris Rogers and Shawntel Williams, both members of Michigan Law’s Class of 2023, have been named 2023 Equal Justice Works Fellows. They are among 76 recipients, from law schools nationwide, of one of the country’s preeminent public interest post-graduate fellowships.
08/04/2023
“People cannot fathom what the people in immigration detention have been through,” said 2022 Fellow Anna Trillo, hosted by New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. “Not only in their own home countries, but also now what they’re suffering through being in these detention centers.”
Lawmakers blocked a bill in the 2023 legislative session that would’ve prohibited local New Mexico governments from hiring federal immigration officers to detain migrants, arguing that detention centers boost local economies. That may not be entirely true, according to a recent report published by...
08/04/2023
Legal aid employers, early bird registration for the 2023 Career Fair closes next week! Register by August 10 for a discounted rate.
Equal Justice Works Career Fair About For Attendees For Employers For Law Students & Recent Graduates For Law School Professionals Employer List Event Schedule Sponsorship Opportunities Resources Select page: About For Attendees -- For Employers -- For ...
08/03/2023
Attention law students and recent law school graduates: Registration for the 2023 Equal Justice Works Career Fair is now open! Join us on October 12-14 for the largest public interest career fair in the country, featuring three days of prescheduled virtual interviews with leading public interest law employers.
The Equal Justice Works Career Fair is the largest national public interest legal career fair, boasting 200+ public interest employers.
08/02/2023
Join Equal Justice Works Senior Program Manager Leila Stehlik-Barry on August 15 for one of our final Design-Your-Own Fellowship webinars of the year. Throughout the one-hour webinar, Leila will cover how to create and submit a strong application and answer questions from attendees. Register to attend on our website—applications are due September 12, 2023!
Join Equal Justice Works Senior Program Manager Leila Stehlik-Barry in this one-hour session on how to create and submit a strong project proposal for your Design-Your-Own (DYO) Fellowship as the application deadline approaches. This is applicable for a...
08/02/2023
Drawing from his own lived experience, 2022 Fellow Zach Outzen—hosted by the National Veterans Legal Services Program—is creating a national pro bono network to provide legal assistance to traumatically-injured military service members who are denied the recovery benefits they are owed. A family member to several Army veterans, Zach has developed an informed approach to his advocacy, grounded in a deep understanding of military and veteran culture.
"Although veterans share a common bond through their service, the lived experience of Black veterans, women veterans, LGBTQIA+ veterans, Indigenous veterans, and immigrant veterans will be different from those who do not share those identities," he writes in a new blog. "Understanding intersectionality is crucial to being an effective advocate."
Find more tips from Zach on how to successfully advocate for veteran clients on our website.
2022 Fellow Zach Outzen shares five tips that he has learned throughout his project for lawyers working with veteran clients.
08/01/2023
We're excited to share that Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams has been named to the 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact List! Since joining the organization last year, Verna's dedication to advancing diversity and representation within the legal profession has aided in building on our mission to create opportunities for leaders to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service.
“Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to closing the justice gap in this country as a lawyer, educator, and academic. My work with Equal Justice Works allows me to continue pursuing this passion, while simultaneously advancing diversity and representation within the legal profession,” said Verna. "I am honored to be included on this year’s Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list along with so many incredible women who have made it their life’s work to change the world for the better.”
Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works, has been named to the third annual Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list.
07/28/2023
2008 Fellow Koert Wehberg, now a civil rights attorney with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and the chair of the Pennsylvania Development Disabilities Council, spoke with board member Vivian Martinez last year about his path to becoming a disability rights advocate: "If you are someone who has a disability, or is an ally or family member of [someone with a disability], I think the first thing to remember is that it can be a difficult road...but hopefully you've seen how your advocacy can get somebody services or get them seen by other people."
The My Impact series is back with this discussion with 2008 Fellow Koert Wehberg about his work advocating for disability rights.
07/26/2023
The Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship empowers 3Ls, recent law school graduates, and lawyers with a passion for public interest law to create their dream job at a nonprofit legal services organization, advocating for a community or cause of their choice.
Interested in jumpstarting your public service career by becoming an Equal Justice Works Fellow? Applications for the 2024 Design-Your-Own Fellowship close on September 12, 2023. From senior program manager Leila Stehlik-Barry, here's what prospective Fellows need to know before applying.
An Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create your dream job. This Fellowship opportunity allows you to leverage your law degree in service of a community or cause of your choice. Interested in joining ...
07/25/2023
In case you missed it, Jim Chosy, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of U.S. Bancorp, is this year's Scales of Justice honoree! "I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and lift up the efforts of those working in civil legal aid and advocating for equal justice," he shared with us earlier this year.
Join us in celebrating Jim's support of Equal Justice Works and commitment to pro bono on October 24, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
Equal Justice Works announced that it will honor James (Jim) L. Chosy, senior executive vice president and general counsel of U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank, at the organization's Scales of Justice event on October 24, 2023.
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We're just one day away from introducing our 2022 Design-Your-Own Fellows! Join us on Twitter, tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. ET, to meet the newest members of the Equal Justice Works community. http://twitter.com/ejw_org
Valentine's Day 2022
While we can't gather in person yet, we're sending virtual hugs to our community—we love and appreciate you. Happy Valentine's Day!
End-of-Year Campaign 2021: Scales of Justice Honoree Brian Ellis
In celebration of his commitment to public service and pro bono, we recently presented Brian Ellis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Danaher Corporation, with the Scales of Justice Award. Brian is a firm believer in our mission to build a persisting community of lawyers committed to public service, and in conversation with his dear friend Judge Ann Claire Williams, he shared his reasons for supporting Equal Justice Works: “Talking to those Fellows and seeing the passion in what they’re doing…that really makes a difference. That’s what gets me going. That’s what got me hooked with Equal Justice Works. It’s the special part about this organization, that there’s so much great work that these Fellows are doing.” As 2021 comes to a close, so does our year-end campaign. Will you join Brian in supporting our Fellows and the communities they serve? equaljusticeworks.org/donate-2021
Equal Justice Works invites law students with a passion for public interest to join us for a Summer of Service! Rural Summer Legal Corps and Disaster Resilience Program applications are officially open. Student Fellows—first and second year law students—will spend the summer gaining hands-on experience by working with legal aid organizations to serve communities in need. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a $5,000 stipend. “It afforded me the opportunity to get real legal aid experience and confirm that I am invested in pursuing a career in public interest,” said 2021 Rural Summer Legal Corps Student Fellow Justin Small. Learn more about the programs and start your application on our website. equaljusticeworks.org/news/hey-law-students-explore-your-public-interest-passions-with-equal-justice-works/
Giving Tuesday 2021: 202 Fellow Charlie Isaacs
“Uptown has been the most racially and economically diverse neighborhood in the city, but that’s what’s under threat right now,” says 2020 Fellow Charlie Isaacs, of the Chicago neighborhood where he lives and works as a Fellow at Uptown People’s Law Center. As a community lawyer, Charlie is dedicated to protecting low-income tenants in his neighborhood from the landlord abuse and discrimination that runs rampant in gentrifying areas, especially as the eviction crisis continues. Mr. James, one of Charlie’s clients at Uptown People’s Law Center, struggled to find housing after spending more than 40 years of his life incarcerated: “Even if you have a family relationship, the most difficult part is finding a place to live,” he says. Although Chicago’s Just Housing Amendment prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s criminal history, he was denied a subsidized apartment due to his record. With Charlie’s assistance, Mr. James was able to challenge that decision and move into an apartment of his own. Every day, hundreds of Equal Justice Works Fellows including Charlie are working to ensure equal access to justice for communities all over the country. In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, we’re asking you to help us meet our goal of honoring all 197 of our Fellows with 197 gifts to our year-end campaign. With your generous support, we can continue to facilitate opportunities for brilliant lawyers with a passion for public service. Visit our website to give: equaljusticeworks.org/donate-2021.
Giving Tuesday: 2021 Text-to-Give Fellow Fernanda Herrera Spieler
As the annual volume of natural disasters— including hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods—continues to increase, devastated communities rely on disaster relief workers to help rebuild. A majority of the workforce for this growing industry are immigrants, many of whom are undocumented and incur serious mistreatment from employers due to their status, such as withholding pay or refusing to follow health and safety guidelines. Fernanda Herrera Spieler, our 2021 Text-to-Give Fellow, is working with host organization Resilience Force to combat immigration-related retaliation against disaster recovery workers in the South: “I’m helping folks have the tools to fight for what they deserve. This work is an opportunity to help people know that they are human…and that their voices have power and deserve to be heard.” Through education, legal representation, and policy change, Fellows including Fernanda are working diligently to provide access to justice to underserved communities across the country. Fernanda’s Fellowship was crowdfunded entirely by donations made at our 2020 Scales of Justice event. In anticipation of Giving Tuesday, we are asking our community to join our effort in supporting the critical work of our Fellows in the field. Equal Justice Works runs on the generosity of those who value public interest and pro bono—can we count on you to support our mission?
Dean Conway's Fireside Chat
Danielle Conway, Dean of Penn State Dickinson Law, spoke to Fellows about the importance of committing to a practice of antiracist lawyering today at our Leadership Development Training. "We act on behalf of our communities, not because our communities have no voice, because they definitely have a voice, and that's what Fellows must take away from their experiences, but we have access to the apparatus that makes that voice transform into a force for policy change," she said during her fireside chat.
Archi Pyati's Keynote Address
Today marks the first day of Leadership Development Training, our annual gathering of Equal Justice Works Fellows! We kicked off the three-day training with keynote speaker Archi Pyati, a 2002 Fellow and CEO of Tahirih Justice Center, a national nonprofit that serves immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. In her keynote address, she reflected on her own time as a Fellow.
Join us for The Scales of Justice!
We're just one day away from the Scales of Justice, our annual gathering of Fellows, alumni, and supporters! Each year, we come together as a community to celebrate the accomplishments of our Fellows, honor lawyers who share our passion for public service and equal justice, and collectively raise funds to support an incoming Text-to-Give Fellow. This year's Scales of Justice is virtual, which means it's easier than ever for you to support Equal Justice Works. 1999 Fellow Tirien Steinbach will be there—will you? Visit our website to learn more: equaljusticeworks.org/thescalesofjustice
Join us for The Scales of Justice!
We're just days away from the Scales of Justice on October 12, and we want to see you there! Alumni Michael Pope, executive director of Youth Represent, will be there with his team—can we count you in? Learn more and register on our website: equaljusticeworks.org/thescalesofjustice
Join us for The Scales of Justice!
We're less than a week away from kicking off the Scales of Justice! Every year, we gather the Equal Justice Works community to celebrate the accomplishments of our Fellows, alumni, and supporters. This year's event is virtual, meaning it's never been easier to support Equal Justice Works and celebrate Scales of Justice award recipient Brian Ellis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Danaher Corporation. 2012 Fellow Keegan Warren-Clem will be there—will you? Learn more about the Scales of Justice and register on our website. equaljusticeworks.org/thescalesofjustice
Join us for Scales of Justice 2021!
Join 2003 Fellow Diego Cartagena at this year's virtual Scales of Justice event, happening October 12 at 7 p.m. ET! Supporting Equal Justice Works is as easy as tuning in and hearing from the Fellows, alumni, and community members that dedicate their lives to public interest—learn more on our website: equaljusticeworks.org/thescalesofjustice
Join us for The Scales of Justice!
Join us on October 12 from 7-8 p.m. ET for The Scales of Justice! The Equal Justice Works community is once again coming together virtually to celebrate the work of our Fellows and alumni, and to present Brian Ellis, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of the Danaher Corporation, with the Scales of Justice award. Hear from alumni like Antonia Fasanelli '02, meet current Fellows, and help us to secure funding for our 2022 Text-to-Give Fellow! Find more information about The Scales of Justice on our website: equaljusticeworks.org/thescalesofjustice
Final Fellowship advice
With less than two weeks remaining until Fellowship applications are due, Alexi Freeman, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, has some advice for this year's prospective Fellows and future applicants: don't limit your own potential based on the accomplishments of others. Visit our website for more tips from our Fellowship community. equaljusticeworks.org/news/watch-design-your-own-fellowship-tips-from-our-community
Vallen Solomon's Fellowship application advice
Vallen Solomon '20 recently went through the Equal Justice Works Fellowship application process, and he has some advice for current applicants: account for the inevitable need for flexibility when creating your project proposal! Find more tips for optimizing your application on our website. equaljusticeworks.org/news/watch-design-your-own-fellowship-tips-from-our-community
What makes a successful Fellowship application?
What makes a successful Fellowship application? Program Manager Krissy Colvin shares that solidly demonstrating an understanding of the needs of the community you aim to serve is one way of producing a well-rounded application—including both qualitative and quantitative data in your proposal is one way to do this. Learn more about the improvements you can make to your application by checking out the entire panel discussion on our website. https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/news/watch-design-your-own-fellowship-tips-from-our-community/
How do host organizations choose their Fellowship candidates?
Diego Cartagena '03 is one of many Equal Justice Works alumni who have gone on to host Fellows at their organizations following the completion of their own Fellowships. Hear from Diego as he shares what his team at Bet Tzedek - The House of Justice looks for when determining which candidates they'll collaborate with on a Fellowship application. For more about the process, check out the full Fellowships panel discussion on our website: https://bit.ly/3fOHqIS
How to determine if a Fellowship is right for you
Alexi Freeman is Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Director of Externships and Social Justice Initiatives, and a professor at Sturm College of Law. As a law school professional, her insights are invaluable to candidates throughout the fellowship application process. When she advises students who wish to apply for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship, her first question is: "Will this program be a good fit for you?" Looking to turn your passion for justice into a career in public interest? Check out our website to see if the 2022 Design-Your-Own Fellowship is right for you. bit.ly/DesignAFellowship
Andrew Cederdahl '16 gives advice on establishing a public interest law career path
To kick off the launch of our Alumni Engagement Program, Megan Kempf ’12 sat down with five of her fellow Equal Justice Works alumni—Ahilan Arulanantham ’00, Mary Bissell ’94, Andrew Cederdahl ’16, Ericka Garcia ’09, and Aurora Martin ’99—to moderate a discussion on their careers in the public interest sector. When asked about his perspective on the path his career has taken post-Fellowship, Andrew (Assistant Attorney General at the Iowa Department of Justice) replied, “[Being] open to the unexpected, that’s 100% what caused me to be in the position that I’m in now, which I didn’t know I wanted to be in. Three years later, it doesn’t even seem like three years because it’s so fun and gratifying. It’s my dream job I didn’t know I wanted.” Read the highlights and view the full discussion on our website: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/news/where-are-they-now-equal-justice-works-alumni-reflections-panel/
Welcoming our 2021 Text-to-Give Fellow, Fernanda M. Herrera Spieler
Congratulations to Fernanda M. Herrera Spieler, our 2021 Equal Justice Works Fellow supported the Text-to-Give campaign! Watch the moment we shared the news with Fernanda herself, then mark your calendars for even more excitement: next Wednesday, May 12, we'll be announcing each and every one of our 2021 Design-Your-Own Fellows! Join us on Twitter from 12–1 p.m. ET to follow along: twitter.com/EJW_org
Equal Justice Works Fellows Challenge Racial Injustice
We are proud of our Fellows who are challenging racist and unjust systems of oppression. Emma Shakeshaft, Mitchell Brown, and Molly Griffard are three public service leaders who are working tirelessly to advocate for Black and Brown Americans and ensure that our country’s promise of equal justice is truly available for all.
2020 Scales of Justice Honoree Laura Stein in conversation with her father, Robert A. Stein
"I know the power of an Equal Justice Works Fellow. Fellows challenge systems of injustice to make meaningful and lasting change." Laura Stein, our 2020 Scales of Justice Honoree, sat down for an inspiring conversation with her father, Robert A. Stein, as they discussed their family values, importance of pro bono, and the rule of law. Watch their full conversation here (you won't want to miss Twinkle Toes Frisbee story!)
Equal Justice Works Fellows Respond to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, though its impact has not been equally felt. Right now, access to free and low-cost civil legal aid is more important than ever. We are proud to support Equal Justice Works Fellows like Joseph Longley, Crystal Pardue, and Daniel Pham, who have worked tirelessly to adapt their legal practice amid pandemic risks and emerging legal needs.
Join David Stern at The Scales of Justice!
Ready to see David's happy dance?! Join us for The Scales of Justice, a virtual event celebrating our community of lawyers and honoring Laura Stein, EVP and general counsel—Corporate Affairs of The Clorox Company! eventbrite.com/e/the-scales-of-justice-tickets-113795976830
Join David Gregory at The Scales of Justice
You heard it here first from David Gregory – join us on Oct. 13 for The Scales of Justice, a virtual event celebrating our community of lawyers. We’ll share stories of how Equal Justice Works Fellows are responding to the pandemic and challenging systems of oppression, and enjoy a very special conversation between our Scales of Justice honoree Laura Stein and her father Bob Stein. We know it will leave you feeling inspired! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-scales-of-justice-tickets-113795976830
Announcing our 2020 Text-to-Give Fellow
You're invited! Join us next Tuesday, May 12, as we announce our 2020 class of Equal Justice Works Fellows, one by one, from 12–2 p.m. ET on Twitter (twitter.com/EJW_org). In this current era of social distancing, announcement day is the perfect opportunity to connect with our community of Fellows, host organizations, law schools, and sponsors who make it all happen. Until then, here's a sneak peek: congratulations to NYU School of Law alum Clarence Okoh, our 2020 Text-to-Give Fellow!
Happy Holidays from Equal Justice Works
CCF Students | Exploring New Options
Announcing the 2019 Text-to-Give Fellow
2017 Fellow Alexis Piazza
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Equal Justice Works fellow Symone Wango is working to Protect Low-wage Workers from Workplace Abuse, Discrimination, Wage Theft, and Unsafe Working Conditions
Morgan Stanley
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Equal Justice Works
Morgan Stanley
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Equal Justice Works
Congratulations Carlos Andino, Equal Justice Works Fellow, on receiving Elon University's 2022 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award!
David Stern, the Executive Director of Equal Justice Works last night with current & former TVC EJW fellows Chesley Roberts and Samantha Higgs, after being presented with the 2022 Pro Bono Institute Laurie D. Zelen Pro Bono Award
It's officially Disaster Resilience Awareness Month! LSC will be partnering with orgs like Equal Justice Works, ABA Young Lawyers Division, Pro Bono Net and the American Red Cross to raise awareness and share resources in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!
You can find disaster preparedness resources for community members, pro bono lawyers and legal aid services on the Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center site: www.ladrc.org.
You can find disaster preparedness resources for community members, pro bono lawyers and legal aid services on the Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center site: www.ladrc.org.
Disaster Resilience Awareness Month is right around the corner. Throughout the month of March, we’re joining organizations like Equal Justice Works, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Legal Services Corporation , Pro Bono Net, American Red Cross, and Disaster Legal Aid.org to raise awareness for disaster resilience.
TODAY: Carlos Andino, Equal Justice Works Fellow, called on The Council of the District of Columbia to end the use of a secret DC Gang Database by DC Police. MPD acknowledges that this gang database is populated almost exclusively with DC’s Black or Brown residents.
The DC Gang Database targets and stigmatizes Black and Brown District residents, based on racist assumptions, stereotypes and flimsy criteria.
Read the full testimony here: https://tinyurl.com/3mrdz5mz
Watch the full MPD Oversight Hearing below!
The DC Gang Database targets and stigmatizes Black and Brown District residents, based on racist assumptions, stereotypes and flimsy criteria.
Read the full testimony here: https://tinyurl.com/3mrdz5mz
Watch the full MPD Oversight Hearing below!
The Equal Justice Works Alumni Advisory Council is excited to present its first virtual event, On Behalf of the People: Government Insights Panel, on Friday, February 25 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT! Join us for an insightful panel discussion on transitioning into government roles and stick around to network with alums, current and prospective Fellows. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-behalf-of-the-people-government-attorneys-insights-tickets-250579759807 Equal Justice Works
What better day to show love for all the people in your life that lift you up? ❤️
We produced this appreciation video in partnership with Equal Justice Works for their supporters, featuring some of the best moments we've captured over the years between their lawyers, fellows, and clients.
Produced by Jordan Darmento
Edited by Halima Abedin
We produced this appreciation video in partnership with Equal Justice Works for their supporters, featuring some of the best moments we've captured over the years between their lawyers, fellows, and clients.
Produced by Jordan Darmento
Edited by Halima Abedin
There's still time for interested law students to apply for the Rural Summer Legal Corps!
A partnership between Equal Justice Works and LSC, RSLC funds law students who spend their summer serving rural and isolated communities. Fellows take on challenging projects with LSC-funded legal aid organizations, addressing legal issues such as affordable housing, farmworkers’ rights and family law matters. Applications close Monday, Feb. 14.
A partnership between Equal Justice Works and LSC, RSLC funds law students who spend their summer serving rural and isolated communities. Fellows take on challenging projects with LSC-funded legal aid organizations, addressing legal issues such as affordable housing, farmworkers’ rights and family law matters. Applications close Monday, Feb. 14.
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