Public Advocates Inc. Post Graduate Fellowship

The Public Advocates Fellowship has consistently attracted outstanding new lawyers to the legal advocacy team of one of the nation’s most effective and respected civil rights law firms.  Public Advocates invites applications immediately for a one year Fellowship to begin in early 2011.  

The Firm  

Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing and transit equity. We spur change through collaboration with grassroots groups representing low-income communities, people of color and immigrants, combined with strategic policy reform, media advocacy and litigation, “making rights real” across California since 1971. 

The Fellowship 

The Fellowship provides new attorneys with a rich professional experience in lawyering skills and public interest advocacy to promote equity and systemic change.  Fellows work with exceptional colleagues and allies, playing an active, responsible role in legislative, administrative, and policy advocacy; impact litigation from development through trial and appeal; communication and media work, and coalition building with grassroots organizations. We have a strong commitment to professional development and mentoring. 

Fellows have contributed significantly to Public Advocates’ groundbreaking work.  Several current staff members joined Public Advocates as Fellows: Managing Attorney John Affeldt (Harvard ’90), Senior Staff Attorney Guillermo Mayer (UCLA School of Law ’04), and Staff Attorneys Tara Kini (UC Berkeley ’05), and Samuel Tepperman-Gelfant (Harvard ’07, Equal Justice Works Fellow).  Many former Fellows are in important positions in civil rights, government, and non-profit law and advocacy. 

Qualifications

Candidates should be very recent law school graduates, including judicial clerks.  Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment and ability to work with low-income communities, communities of color, and their allies; excellent analytic, communication and collaboration skills; good judgment and initiative.  Experience in our substantive program areas, and in public finance, communications, grass roots organizing, urban planning, and civil rights, are plusses. Fluency in Spanish is a strong positive factor.  Admission or plan to seek admission to the California Bar expected.  

Application & Compensation 

Position will be open until filled, ideally early in 2011.  Applicants should submit a letter that addresses (1) experiences and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color, (2) a specific accomplishment, and (3) reasons for applying to Public Advocates, along with a resume, writing sample, and names of three references.  Please address to fellowship2010@publicadvocates.org. 

See website at www.publicadvocates.org for more information about the firm and our work.

Public Advocates values diversity. We encourage all interested individuals to apply, 
including people of color, women, people with disabilities, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and anyone belonging to another federal or state protected category.