Opening for Summer Law Fellow for the Summer of 2024
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is a Massachusetts nonprofit public interest law organization committed to disability justice. We are seeking a 2L or 3L law student to work as a Summer Law Fellow in our Boston office on Beacon Hill during the summer of 2024.
About the position:
We seek a candidate with strong skills in research, legal writing, legal analysis, fact gathering and oral advocacy and with a clear and demonstrated commitment to disability justice and/or civil rights issues. We would consider either rising 2L or rising 3L applicants.
Responsibilities for the Fellow are determined based on the experience and interests of the candidate and the immediate needs of the office, but often includes: legal research and writing; participation in administrative and/or legislative advocacy; assistance with other systemic advocacy or litigation; individual case work; factinvestigation; client counseling, etc.
The Fellow will have the opportunity to work with clients, client groups, and other legal and advocacyorganizations within a wide cross section of disability law, including working with people with physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury.
This position is full-time over 10-11 weeks.
Most of our Summer Law Fellows come to us with scholarship or summer public interest funding from their respective law schools. We regret that we do not have funds to pay stipends or salaries.
About DLC:
Our office is the designated Protection and Advocacy system (“P&A”) under federal law for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We conduct investigations of abuse and neglect, engage in monitoring, and handle bothindividual cases and systemic advocacy related to: ADA access; Olmstead/community integration cases, human rights issues for people in facilities (state psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, etc.,) and cases related to health and benefits, employment discrimination; housing discrimination; voting rights; and special education. We also investigate cases of financial exploitation and represent individuals with disabilities who are also victims of crime.
Our advocacy includes legal advice, individual representation; systemic litigation including class actions; legislative and administrative advocacy; abuse and neglect investigations; monitoring; and community trainings.
Our office is committed to providing Fellows with supervision, training, and support to promote professional development. It is a dynamic, supportive, and challenging work environment with a deeply committed and experienced staff. We welcome the opportunity to work with and mentor a law student who shares our mission. DLC is particularly interested in working with law students from diverse and marginalized communities, law students with disabilities, and/or those with experience in working towards social justice for and with people with disabilities.
Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement:
DLC is committed to protecting the fundamental human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy and excellent representation. In fulfilling our mission, DLC is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to understanding our clients’ diverse circumstances and meeting their needs as well as maintaining an inclusive environment that supports success and the well-being of all of our staff.
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer:
The Disability Law Center values diversity of culture, disability, and other life experiences, and is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer by choice. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information (including family medical history), military service, veteran status, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, or status as a parent/guardian. We endorse and support the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for applying for this fellowship, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our selection process, please contact Amanda Gasparonis via email at agasparonis@dlc-ma.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Please use the form below to submit a cover letter explaining your background and interests, along with a resume and writing sample.