About Public Rights Project:
Public Rights Project is a non-profit organization that catalyzes impact case-making and initiatives by state and local governments offices. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the promise of the laws and the lived experiences of marginalized groups. We work to transform the way that these agencies enforce and protect the rights of their residents by operating at the intersection of community organizing and government practice.
Since its founding in 2017, PRP has represented the cities of East Chicago and Gary, Indiana in defending their sanctuary city ordinances, and partnered with the County of Los Angeles to advocate in support of access to medical care for children in immigration detention. PRP has worked with local governments to file amicus briefs in support of the contraceptive mandate and Title VII’s protections of LGBTQ workers at the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as to support challenges to the public charge rule and the healthcare refusal rule.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PRP has worked on advocacy for eviction moratoriums and other tenant protections, worker safety and misclassification, and police accountability. PRP has developed partnerships with over 60 state and local governments and has provided legislative advice, strategic planning support, and training to these partners. PRP operates two separate fellowship programs for advancing lawyers (3-5 years out) seeking to transition to a state or local enforcement role and for mid-career government lawyers wishing to reshape their caseload to include more affirmative and impact cases. PRP regularly partners with its fellows in the development of cases, policy initiatives, and community outreach efforts.
Webinar:
PRP will be hosting a webinar this Friday, August 14, 2020 at 3 ET to provide an overview of Public Rights Project and to review the various fellowship opportunities available in collaboration with PRP. Students and recent graduates who are interested in attending to learn more should email us to RSVP.
Legal Fellow:
PRP is seeking applicants to sponsor for funded post-graduate fellowships, such as law school funded fellowships, Justice Catalyst, Skadden, Equal Justice Works, or other public interest fellowship to begin in Fall 2021. Fellowships should be at least six months in length with a strong preference for those that are one year or longer. Applicants should be 3Ls or judicial law clerks seeking a host organization for a post-graduate fellowship with portable funding. PRP will work with applicants on devising a project should one be required.
The Legal Fellow will be an essential part of PRP’s legal team and work closely with our Legal Director and Counsel to identify and pursue opportunities for PRP to promote high-impact affirmative litigation by state and local governments. As a small but growing team at PRP, we offer graduate fellows the opportunity to work on, and potentially lead, many aspects of our programs. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in policy advocacy and litigation alongside our partners across the country. Our program offers fellows a unique opportunity to gain skills, do advocacy, and build partnerships — all within an agile, start-up environment.
We are looking for candidates with a belief in the power of state and local government to make positive change in the world and a passionate commitment to economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice.
Public health conditions permitting, the fellow can be based in Oakland, Boston, or New York. Remote opportunities may also be available.
TO APPLY: All inquiries and statements of interest should be directed to: LiJia Gong, Counsel, via email.
Learn more about PRP on our website.
The deadline for candidates to express interest in working with PRP on a Skadden or Equal Justice Works fellowship placement is Friday, August 21 at 5 PM Pacific Time.
