Application Deadline: October 16, 2015.
Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI), a Chicago-based nonprofit law and policy center, seeks a recent law or public policy graduate to serve as the Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellow for one year, renewable for a second, beginning in Summer or Fall 2016.
The Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellowship offers the opportunity for recent law school or public policy school graduates to develop the experience, skills and network critical to a rewarding career in public interest advocacy. Fellows have gone on to become the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that serves youth interests, to practice affordable housing law, to accept a full-time staff position with BPI and more.
Since its founding in 1969, BPI has worked to create a just society. Today BPI strives to resolve compelling issues of social justice and quality of life in the Chicago region by addressing the challenges of urban poverty, increasing housing and educational opportunity, building vital communities, and improving Illinois’ criminal justice system. Considered one of Chicago’s most tenacious and versatile advocates for the public interest, BPI’s lawyers and policy specialists engage in legal and policy research, advocacy, organizing, litigation, and collaboration with nonprofit, community, business, academic, and governmental organizations. BPI is a recipient of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.
REQUIREMENTS of the Fellowship are:
Either a JD or MA/MS in public policy or related field (by Fellowship start)
Demonstrated interest or experience in one of BPI’s program areas
Accomplished oral and writing skills
Strong academic record
Initiative, creativity and flexibility
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations, constituent groups, government agencies, and civic leaders.
Fellows receive an annual salary of $52,000 with medical and dental coverage. Debt service on law school or graduate school loans for the duration of the Fellowship may be available, based on need.
Send résumé, writing sample, references and a cover letter detailing interest in the position by Friday, October 16, 2015 to fellowships@bpichicago.org or via postal mail (postmarked by October 16, 2015) to:
Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
Polikoff–Gautreaux Fellowship
25 East Washington Street, Suite 1515
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312-641-5570
www.bpichicago.org
