Externally Funded Fellowship 2026 – 2027 – Criminal Justice Project
Washington, DC, DC
Temporary
Criminal Justice Project
Entry Level
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, Criminal Justice Project
About the Role:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law established its Criminal Justice Project (CJP) to challenge racial disparities within the criminal justice system that result from the criminalization of poverty and contribute to mass incarceration. Hate incidents across the United States are surging, devastating individuals and entire communities. Hundreds of organizations in communities across the country work to combat hate every day. To help combat this increase and support those organizations, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law launched the James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate.
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.
Fellowship Overview:
We welcome proposals aimed at addressing hate crimes. A successful proposal will support initiatives that speak to disrupting systems that enable hate and educating the general public and policy makers.
The James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate is seeking a fellow to join our project--whose groundbreaking mission is to creatively deploy legal advocacy to disrupt the systems that enable racially hostile conduct directed at individuals or communities. The fellow will develop their litigation skillset by working on matters in active litigation, including Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church v. Proud Boys International, LLC and Black Lives Matter vs. United States et al.. The fellow will also take the lead in developing a comprehensive toolkit for bringing “stop hate” cases. The toolkit will serve as a model blueprint for litigation that will identify potential legal theories under statutes such as 42 U.S.C. § 1985 (Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights, also known as the “KKK Act”) and 18 U.S.C. § 1964 (Civil RICO). The toolkit will also offer solutions to issues that commonly arise in "stop hate" cases. The fellowship also may offer opportunities to travel nationwide to support litigation efforts and participate in coalition-building conferences aimed at training advocates and advancing innovative strategies to combat racism in America.
What You'll be Doing:
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:
Proposal Requirements:
Interested candidates should submit a proposal that includes:
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
Job Title: Fellow
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Term
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable to: Director, Criminal Justice Project
About the Role:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law established its Criminal Justice Project (CJP) to challenge racial disparities within the criminal justice system that result from the criminalization of poverty and contribute to mass incarceration. Hate incidents across the United States are surging, devastating individuals and entire communities. Hundreds of organizations in communities across the country work to combat hate every day. To help combat this increase and support those organizations, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law launched the James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate.
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.
Fellowship Overview:
We welcome proposals aimed at addressing hate crimes. A successful proposal will support initiatives that speak to disrupting systems that enable hate and educating the general public and policy makers.
The James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate is seeking a fellow to join our project--whose groundbreaking mission is to creatively deploy legal advocacy to disrupt the systems that enable racially hostile conduct directed at individuals or communities. The fellow will develop their litigation skillset by working on matters in active litigation, including Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church v. Proud Boys International, LLC and Black Lives Matter vs. United States et al.. The fellow will also take the lead in developing a comprehensive toolkit for bringing “stop hate” cases. The toolkit will serve as a model blueprint for litigation that will identify potential legal theories under statutes such as 42 U.S.C. § 1985 (Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights, also known as the “KKK Act”) and 18 U.S.C. § 1964 (Civil RICO). The toolkit will also offer solutions to issues that commonly arise in "stop hate" cases. The fellowship also may offer opportunities to travel nationwide to support litigation efforts and participate in coalition-building conferences aimed at training advocates and advancing innovative strategies to combat racism in America.
What You'll be Doing:
- Identify, categorize, and rank hostile conduct directed at underserved communities.
- Identify hate groups that pose a threat to democracy.
- Develop recommendations for countering the groups through litigation, publicity, community organizing, state or federal advocacy, onsite monitoring, mobilization, or any other workable approaches.
- Assess the capacity of existing structures for hate crimes to respond to nationally coordinated threats and would recommend any additional structures or approaches to enhance that capacity at the local and national level.
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 theproject.
- References: Contact information for at least two professional or academicreferences.
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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