Apply today to become an Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Fellow!
The Disaster Resilience Program is a national, professional Fellowship program for attorneys designed to mobilize legal aid in disaster prone areas to ensure vital legal services are accessible, comprehensive, and responsive to the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities to rebuild more resilient communities.
What We Do
Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We facilitate Fellowships at legal services organizations to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.
As a Disaster Resilience Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious group of 20 attorneys hosted by legal aid organizations across the United States. During the Fellowship term, Fellows work collaboratively to:
• provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved communities who are most in need or facing
special barriers to accessing services before, during, and after a disaster (particularly the 2021 tornadoes);
• identify areas for policy change and reform;
• engage in outreach and education activities, such as Know-Your-Rights presentations;
• and work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience.
Fellowship Benefits
Equal Justice Works Fellows are part of a network of over 2,500 current and former Fellows dedicated to improving access to equal justice for all. As a member of the network, each Fellow has access to:
• Equal Justice Works’ annual Leadership Development Training, which is attended by ~300 current Fellows each
year. The conference will be in-person in 2023.
• Responsive training and technical assistance from Equal Justice Work’s in house disaster law expert.
• Regular substantive and skills-based webinars throughout the Fellowship.
• Monthly networking and collaboration sessions with other Disaster Resilience Fellows.
All candidates must apply directly to their host organization of choice by submitting a cover letter and resume as outlined in each individual job description.
Qualifications are set by each host organization but typically include:
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction (at the time of hire
or as soon as possible after hiring by taking the bar exam).
• Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and/or internships.
• Demonstrate commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for disaster survivors and
achieve results
• Outstanding verbal and written communication.
• Exceptional interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and
provide holistic services to clients.
These experiences may get you bonus points:
• Prior disaster related legal experience.
• Experience with delivering training and presentations.
• Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences and a second language are preferred.
Read the full position descriptions from the three host organizations below and apply directly:
1. Migrant & Immigration Community Action Project, St. Louis, MO: http://www.mica-project.org/equal-justice-works-fellow.html
2. Kentucky Legal Aid, Bowling Green, KY: https://www.indeed.com/job/attorney-cb211c64de309060
3. West Tennessee Legal Services, Jackson, TN : https://wtls.org/about-us/job-openings/