The Community Justice Project-Georgetown University Law Center-Graduate Teaching Fellowship
Description of the Clinic:
The Community Justice Project opened in the Fall of 2010. The Clinic provides students with training and practice in many lawyering skills and stimulates students to think broadly about the myriad ways to effect change within the legal system. The Community Justice Project cuts across many subject matter areas. Students in this clinic use multiple tactics to achieve client objectives, including advocacy, public relations, the use of media, lobbying, legislative and policy drafting and community organizing.
Students represent individual clients in Unemployment Insurance Appeal cases, starting with an initial interview and ending with an administrative hearing two weeks later. In addition to their direct representation cases, students are also assigned to a Project Team for the semester. The Projects vary in their substance, size of Project Team, type of client, type of responsibilities and timelines. Through these projects, students are able to engage in a breadth of lawyering and creative advocacy skills. These Projects provide a platform for students to think strategically about the project of justice and redefine what “winning” means. Our students have done work in the community to provide justice in many areas. For more detail on specific projects, please visit the website.
Description of the Fellowship:
The Community Justice Project hires one individual to serve as a clinical teaching fellow and supervising attorney each year, for a two year term. Fellows have several areas of responsibility, with an increasing role as the fellowship progresses. First, fellows supervise students in direct representation cases, as co-supervisors with experienced fellows and faculty and then on their own. Second, fellows co-supervise one or more Project Teams of students. Third, the fellows and faculty share responsibility for teaching seminar sessions. Fourth, fellows share in the administrative and case handling responsibilities of the clinic. Finally, fellows participate in a clinical pedagogy seminar and other activities designed to support an interest in clinical teaching and legal education.
Qualifications Sought:
Applicants must have at least 1 year of post J.D. legal experience and must be admitted or willing to be admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. Applicants with experience in direct representation, commitment to social justice and an interest in a career in clinical teaching are preferred.
Application Process:
Please submit your C.V. and a letter of interest to Professors Jane Aiken and Colleen Shanahan at The Community Justice Project via email. All applications should be received by December 1, 2012. Those selected to interview will be interviewed during December with selection following shortly. Start date is July 1, 2013 and the fellowship is for two years, ending June 30, 2015.