Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Externally Funded Fellowship 2026 – 2027 – Economic Justice Project and Protecti
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, Economic Justice Project and Director, Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative
About the Role: Through a holistic lens, the Economic Justice Project engages in impact litigation and legal advocacy to ensure that communities of color can access opportunities and meaningfully engage in the economy to lead dignified lives free from discrimination.
Through the Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative, the Lawyers' Committee provides advice (and when appropriate, representation) to eligible private, nonprofit, and government entities concerned about their DEI or race-conscious programs. The initiative creates and distributes open-source educational materials through a broader campaign to counter anti-DE&I rhetoric and champion affirmative messaging about the imperative of advancing racial equity and DE&I in all facets of society. Its work also includes influencing federal policy actions designed to end or undermine such efforts.
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 nonprofit organizations, 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: The project fellow will protect and advance racial equity programs by utilizing a variety of tool/strategies, including strategic impact litigation to challenge anti-DEI legislation and policies and providing guidance to impacted stakeholders regarding their racial equity programs law.
What You'll be Doing:
Provide direct legal services to nonprofits and CBOs by providing legal advice to maintain racial equity and/or DEI programming in the face of federal and state attacks. Contribute to impact litigation and amicus briefs where appropriate. Conduct outreach and education, including creation of know your rights and promising practices materials, and toolkits. Speak at events and webinars, and to media where appropriate. Engage in advocacy in support of racial equity and DEIA, including policy advocacy.
Minimum Requirements & 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 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:
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
Job Title:
Fellow Location:
Washington, DC Job Type:
Term Union Affiliation:
Union Accountable to:
Director, Economic Justice Project and Director, Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative
About the Role: Through a holistic lens, the Economic Justice Project engages in impact litigation and legal advocacy to ensure that communities of color can access opportunities and meaningfully engage in the economy to lead dignified lives free from discrimination.
Through the Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative, the Lawyers' Committee provides advice (and when appropriate, representation) to eligible private, nonprofit, and government entities concerned about their DEI or race-conscious programs. The initiative creates and distributes open-source educational materials through a broader campaign to counter anti-DE&I rhetoric and champion affirmative messaging about the imperative of advancing racial equity and DE&I in all facets of society. Its work also includes influencing federal policy actions designed to end or undermine such efforts.
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 nonprofit organizations, 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: The project fellow will protect and advance racial equity programs by utilizing a variety of tool/strategies, including strategic impact litigation to challenge anti-DEI legislation and policies and providing guidance to impacted stakeholders regarding their racial equity programs law.
What You'll be Doing:
Provide direct legal services to nonprofits and CBOs by providing legal advice to maintain racial equity and/or DEI programming in the face of federal and state attacks. Contribute to impact litigation and amicus briefs where appropriate. Conduct outreach and education, including creation of know your rights and promising practices materials, and toolkits. Speak at events and webinars, and to media where appropriate. Engage in advocacy in support of racial equity and DEIA, including policy advocacy.
Minimum Requirements & 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 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:
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