Mission:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (“Lawyers’ Committee”) advances, protects and promotes the rights of communities of color, immigrants and refugees – with a specific focus on low income communities and a long-standing commitment to African Americans – by leveraging the power of the private bar to support direct service, impact litigation and policy advocacy legal strategies.
History:
The Lawyers’ Committee is affiliated with the national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, begun in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy. Leading members of the San Francisco Bar established the San Francisco office in 1968–shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.–to advance civil rights. Towards this end, the Lawyers’ Committee staff–with the assistance of hundreds of pro bono attorneys–provides free legal assistance and representation to individuals on civil legal matters. In addition, the Lawyers’ Committee handles policy impact cases that focus on important civil rights issues.
Internships:
Under the supervision of an attorney, the law clerk will prepare legal memoranda, conduct legal research, perform other litigation and non-litigation related legal assignments and conduct client interviews. Clerks are an integral part of the work of the Lawyers’ Committee. Clerks may have the opportunity to participate in direct legal services, impact litigation, and/or policy advocacy. Clerks also participate in legal staff meetings.
Law clerks have the opportunity to work in one or more issue areas. If you have a particular interest in any particular area or current project, please indicate this in your cover letter – there may be an opportunity to work with staff on special projects in these areas.
Summer law clerks are ordinarily expected to work 37.5 hours per week for 10-12 weeks. During the semester, law clerks are expected to work at least 15 hours per week, but preference may be given to full time semester / quarter clerks. Clerks are encouraged to seek academic credit or independent funding for their work.
Law clerks at the Lawyers’ Committee may be considered in the future for post-graduate fellowships at the Lawyers’ Committee, including our Thurgood Marshall Fellowship and sponsorship for the Skadden and Equal Justice Works Fellowships.
To Apply:
Email a cover letter, resume, and three references to the attention of Silvia Contreras (scontreras@lccr.com) or send to the following address: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the S. F. Bay Area, 131 Steuart Street, Ste. 400, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Prior public interest experience is preferred. If applicable, please indicate if you are fluent in a foreign language (particularly Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese). Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible as decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Suggested application submission periods:
Summer: August 1 – March 15
Fall semester: December 1 – September 15
Spring semester: August 1 – January 1
Please visit the website for more information about our organization.
