Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Externally Funded Fellowship 2026 – 2027 – Digital Justice Initiatives
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.
Job Title:
Fellow Location:
Washington, DC Job Type:
Term Union Affiliation:
Union Accountable to:
Director, Digital Justice Initiatives
About the Role: The Digital Justice Initiative works at the intersection of racial justice, technology, and privacy. Exploitative data practices, discriminatory algorithms, invasions of privacy, disinformation, and online hate disproportionately target and harm communities of color, especially Black Americans, immigrants, women of color, and LGBTQ people of color. Everyone should be entitled to the equal enjoyment of the internet’s goods and services without fear of discrimination or reprisal.
Our fellows become involved with substantive legal activities, which involve co-counseled litigation with prominent law firms, including client contact, case investigation, discovery, negotiations, amicus briefs, appeals, and trial practice. Non-litigation activities include legal services to community development groups, legislative and public policy advocacy, and public education on important civil rights matters.
The Lawyers' Committee is willing to consider proposals that align with our equities but may not be expressly identified in a specific posting.
Fellowship Overview: This project will primarily focus on fighting facial recognition technology in public housing. Numerous housing authorities have installed facial recognition technology in public housing complexes to control resident access to buildings. The technology has been proven to function inaccurately at higher rates for women and people of color, especially Black and Asian people. FRT has also been used to harass public housing residents and also may be leveraged by law enforcement. The Digital Justice Initiative would welcome a fellowship project that examined the lawfulness and constitutionality of facial recognition technology uses in public housing.
What You'll be Doing:
Conduct research on the lawfulness of facial recognition technology. Focus on impact litigation challenging such technology and how it impacts people of color. Focus on litigation and advocacy to protect and defend discrimination with the help of technology. To the extent the fellow develops any strategy that can be fully or partially implemented during the term of the fellowship, they may participate in putting it into effect.
Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
JD or anticipated JD by May 2026 A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and racial justice. Creative approach to civil rights work and ability to take initiative during the project development and implementation stage. Prior experience working with or ties to low-income communities of color. Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills as demonstrated through writing samples, internship and clinical experience, and academic records. Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with all Lawyers' Committee staff and to develop and maintain positive relationships with diverse clients and community organizations. Effective written and oral communication skills in both legal and non-legal settings.
Proposal Requirements: Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:
Project Description: An outline of the proposed project, including objectives, timeline, target populations, and expected outcomes. Resume Personal Statement: A statement of relevant experience and qualifications for the
project. References: Contact information for at least two professional or academic
references.
Salary and Benefits: The Fellow will be paid by applying for outside fellowship funding. Fellowships will only commence if outside funding is granted. If fellowship funding is lower than The Lawyers’ Committee salary scale, The Lawyers’ Committee will pay the fellows an additional amount to bring them up to the appropriate salary. The salary for an attorney receiving their JD in 2026 is $76,000.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!
Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
The expected salary for this role will be: $76,000.
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Job Title:
Fellow Location:
Washington, DC Job Type:
Term Union Affiliation:
Union Accountable to:
Director, Digital Justice Initiatives
About the Role: The Digital Justice Initiative works at the intersection of racial justice, technology, and privacy. Exploitative data practices, discriminatory algorithms, invasions of privacy, disinformation, and online hate disproportionately target and harm communities of color, especially Black Americans, immigrants, women of color, and LGBTQ people of color. Everyone should be entitled to the equal enjoyment of the internet’s goods and services without fear of discrimination or reprisal.
Our fellows become involved with substantive legal activities, which involve co-counseled litigation with prominent law firms, including client contact, case investigation, discovery, negotiations, amicus briefs, appeals, and trial practice. Non-litigation activities include legal services to community development groups, legislative and public policy advocacy, and public education on important civil rights matters.
The Lawyers' Committee is willing to consider proposals that align with our equities but may not be expressly identified in a specific posting.
Fellowship Overview: This project will primarily focus on fighting facial recognition technology in public housing. Numerous housing authorities have installed facial recognition technology in public housing complexes to control resident access to buildings. The technology has been proven to function inaccurately at higher rates for women and people of color, especially Black and Asian people. FRT has also been used to harass public housing residents and also may be leveraged by law enforcement. The Digital Justice Initiative would welcome a fellowship project that examined the lawfulness and constitutionality of facial recognition technology uses in public housing.
What You'll be Doing:
Conduct research on the lawfulness of facial recognition technology. Focus on impact litigation challenging such technology and how it impacts people of color. Focus on litigation and advocacy to protect and defend discrimination with the help of technology. To the extent the fellow develops any strategy that can be fully or partially implemented during the term of the fellowship, they may participate in putting it into effect.
Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
JD or anticipated JD by May 2026 A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and racial justice. Creative approach to civil rights work and ability to take initiative during the project development and implementation stage. Prior experience working with or ties to low-income communities of color. Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills as demonstrated through writing samples, internship and clinical experience, and academic records. Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with all Lawyers' Committee staff and to develop and maintain positive relationships with diverse clients and community organizations. Effective written and oral communication skills in both legal and non-legal settings.
Proposal Requirements: Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:
Project Description: An outline of the proposed project, including objectives, timeline, target populations, and expected outcomes. Resume Personal Statement: A statement of relevant experience and qualifications for the
project. References: Contact information for at least two professional or academic
references.
Salary and Benefits: The Fellow will be paid by applying for outside fellowship funding. Fellowships will only commence if outside funding is granted. If fellowship funding is lower than The Lawyers’ Committee salary scale, The Lawyers’ Committee will pay the fellows an additional amount to bring them up to the appropriate salary. The salary for an attorney receiving their JD in 2026 is $76,000.
Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!
Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
The expected salary for this role will be: $76,000.
#J-18808-Ljbffr