2022 Fellowship Sponsorship Opportunity—Education

The Position

The Workplace Justice & Education team at the National Women’s Law Center seeks rising third-year law students, judicial clerks, and other recent law school graduates interested in applying for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or other externally funded legal fellowships to begin in August or September 2022.

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice—in the courts, in public policy, and in our society—working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us—especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.

For almost 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org.

Responsibilities

NWLC’s Education program team focuses on three priority areas:

  • Fighting sexual harassment and violence in school, including through implementation and enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and state and local policy
  • Lifting the voices of Black and brown girls to improve school climate (e.g., ending unnecessary suspensions, expulsions, and practices that criminalize students for normal behavior; increasing counselors and other mental health supports; reforming racist & sexist dress codes); and
  • Boosting supports for pregnant and parenting students.

These priority areas primarily focus on students in K-12 schools, although NWLC engages in work related to gender equity in higher education, as well. Additionally, NWLC works to ensure that gender justice address the needs of LGBTQ students—especially those who face intersectional discrimination, such as queer and transgender students of color.

To break down discriminatory barriers for women, girls, and LGBTQ students that push them out of school or otherwise limit their ability to benefit from their education, NWLC invites fellowship project proposals addressing any of the following: discriminatory discipline practices; stereotypes, implicit bias, and intersectional forms of discrimination; sexual harassment and violence; discrimination against pregnant and parenting students; discrimination against LGBTQ students; or other educational barriers girls and women face.

The fellow’s project may include: (1) public outreach and education, including creation of materials (such as fact sheets, reports and toolkits) to expand awareness of available federal and state legal protections; (2) local, state and federal administrative and legislative advocacy to establish and strengthen nondiscrimination protections, including coalition work; (3) participating in litigation aimed at enforcing and expanding the rights of girls, women and LGBTQ individuals in school. As needed, the fellow may also provide other program and organization-wide support.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary for a first year fellow is $64,384.

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C., with our office located in historic Dupont Circle. However, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, all NWLC staff are temporarily working remotely. We continue to monitor public health guidance and keep safety, science, and flexibility top of mind as we evaluate what reopening looks like for our team.

 Classification

NWLC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in NWLC’s bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

 How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and potential project idea, resume, transcript, a 5-10 page writing sample, and contact information for three references via email to [email protected] In the subject line of the email, please include your name and the position for which you are applying (e.g., “Jane Doe: 2022 Sponsored Fellowship Candidate”). Electronic submissions are preferred. Applications submitted by August 1 will receive priority consideration. No calls please.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce.  We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans. 

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at [email protected]