Justice Catalyst partners with Public Rights Project to co-sponsor a fellowship for innovative affirmative litigation and enforcement work in state, local, and tribal government offices.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
We are looking for projects from diverse, creative, self-starting fellows who will pursue year-long fellowships, with a possibility of renewal for a second year. Like all Justice Catalyst fellowships, we prioritize groundbreaking ideas, including early-stage projects that are boundary-pushing in the pursuit of systemic solutions to major injustices. And like all Public Rights Project fellowships, these projects should be focused on using the affirmative litigation and enforcement powers of state or local government to effect change and improve our communities.
Fellows can submit a prospectus with or without a host government office, and work with us to identify a way to launch the project. For questions about fellowships, please email fellowships@justicecatalyst.org.
PREFERRED OFFICES
For the 2023-2024 fellowship cycle, JC/PRP are partnering with some preferred offices for fellowship project placements. The current list of preferred offices is
- City of Chicago Department of Law — Affirmative Litigation Division
- Columbus City Attorney’s Office — City Solicitor’s Office
- District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General
- Harris County Attorney’s Office — Affirmative Litigation Unit
- Oakland City Attorney’s Office — Housing Justice Initiative — Affirmative Litigation Division
- City of Philadelphia Law Department — Affirmative and Special Litigation Unit
- Travis County District Attorney’s Office
- Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office — Economic Justice Initiative
You are encouraged to apply to work in one of these offices. However, we will also accept applications for other state/local/tribal government host offices.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Justice Catalyst and Public Rights Project is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. We aim to assemble an applicant pool that represents the face of the world we live in. We believe that a variety of perspectives enrich the efficacy of the work of local and state governments. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the fellowship without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, color, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING
Fellows will participate in programming offered by both the Justice Catalyst and Public Rights Project. This will include orientation to both programs, monthly check-in calls, and periodic professional development opportunities from the staff and partners of both organizations.
See past Justice Catalyst/Public Rights Project fellows at https://www.publicrightsproject.org/justice-catalyst-fellows and other Justice Catalyst fellows at https://catalystfellowships.org/fellows.
STIPEND
Fellows will receive an annual stipend of $70,000. In special circumstances we can discuss other arrangements. Individual questions and specific needs can be emailed to fellowships@justicecatalyst.org.
ELIGIBILITY
Fellows must have a passion for public service. By the time they start their fellowship, Fellows must have a JD from an accredited law school and either have an active bar membership in a U.S. state or be awaiting bar admission. We welcome applicants with any level of experience.
HOST COMMITMENT LETTER
The host commitment letter should include:
- Formal endorsement of the project and statement that the host submits the project for funding, and will host and implement the project, if funded;
- Proposed supervision, including the name and title of the supervisor;
- Contact information (including phone number) for proposed supervisor, and logistical point of contact, if different;
- A description of the host’s professional liability and malpractice insurance and a statement confirming the fellow’s eligibility for coverage;
- An explanation of the extent to which the host will be able to contribute to the costs of the fellowship. This can include, and explain in detail, the following circumstances:
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- Whether your office can cover costs of health insurance and travel costs related to the fellowship (approx. $10k-$15k)
- Whether your office can contribute some other amount to defraying the costs of the fellowship (including an estimate of the amount available for fellowship costs)
- Whether your office will not be able to contribute financially to the fellowship
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Note: Your office’s proposed financial contributions will be reviewed as part of the application process but will not be dispositive.
TIMELINE
The timeline for applications for the 2023-2024 JC/PRP Joint Fellowship is:
| Resume and Prospectus, optional but highly recommended | November 14, 2022 |
| Application Deadline | January 4, 2023 |
| Application Review and Candidate Interviews | Rolling |
| Fellowships Offered | February 15, 2023 |
| Fellowships Begin | September 2023 |
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Submit all materials at the Justice Catalyst/Public Rights Project Fellowship Final Application Page.
Please contact us at fellowships@justicecatalyst.org with any questions.
