Recent law school graduates (Class of 2017 or 2018) are invited to apply for a two-year juvenile defense fellowship at the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) in Washington, D.C. starting in September 2018.
The Gault Fellowship is in honor of the U.S. Supreme Court case In re Gault. The Gault decision extended to juveniles many of the same due process protections afforded adults accused of crimes, including the right to counsel.
NJDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting justice for all children by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense. Through community building, training, and policy reform, we provide national leadership on juvenile defense issues with a focus on curbing the deprivation of young people’s rights in the court system. Our reach extends to urban, suburban, rural, and tribal areas, where we elevate the voices of youth, families, and defenders to create positive case outcomes and meaningful opportunities for children. We also work with broad coalitions to ensure that the reform of juvenile courts includes the protection of children’s rights–particularly the right to counsel.
Responsibilities: The Gault Fellows collaborate with NJDC staff to develop legal and policy initiatives around a broad range of juvenile defense issues. The Fellows perform extensive legal research and analysis for NJDC and assist with the provision of training and technical assistance to the juvenile defense community. The Fellows work closely with juvenile defense attorneys, public defender offices, law schools, legal clinics, and nonprofit law centers to improve access to counsel and the quality of representation for all children. The Fellows write reports, articles, issue briefs, and fact sheets to inform the field, and additionally review the content and citations of all materials developed by NJDC. The Fellows may also assist in long-term research and writing on a variety of high-level reform projects. Each Fellow is expected to proactively initiate projects to improve the provision of justice in the juvenile delinquency system.
Qualifications: Applicants must be recent law graduates (Class of 2017 or 2018) with excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, an ability to work independently, and superb attention to detail. Knowledge of juvenile delinquency law is helpful but not required; a demonstrated interest in juvenile rights, criminal law, civil rights, and racial and social justice is essential. Applicants should be hardworking, self-motivated, well-organized, possess a positive attitude and a sense of humor, and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people. The Fellow will be expected to begin the fellowship in September 2018, ending in August 2020, must be able to commit to the full two years, and must have the capacity for occasional work-related travel.
Salary and Benefits: The Gault Fellow works for two years, and is provided a first year salary of $45,000, with the possibility of an increase in the second year, plus full health benefits.
Application Procedure: Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, three references, and short (approx. 250 word) summary and analysis of the landmark juvenile rights case In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967), with the subject line “2018-2020 Gault Fellowship Application – [Last Name]” to inquiries@njdc.info as a single .pdf file. Applications are due Monday, October 30. Final decisions are expected to be made by mid-December.
NJDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.