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Philadelphia, PA 19118
(267) 277-3404 (phone)

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Fellowship Sponsorship - 2016

Description: 

Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) sponsors law students and current judicial clerks for fellowships funded by the Independence Foundation, the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Equal Justice Works, the Open Society Foundations, the Stoneleigh Foundation, the Borchard Fellowship in Law & Aging, and other fellowship programs (including fellowships offered directly by law schools).  Fellows work closely with our experienced staff attorneys and are directly supervised by a more senior attorney.  Fellows carry their own caseload and gain valuable experience in providing a wide range of services, from brief advice and counsel to representation at administrative hearings, judicial proceedings, and appeals.  Fellows are also deeply involved in our policy and systemic advocacy work.  Past fellows have provided crucial advocacy for our clients, contributed greatly to CLS’ development as a legal services organization, and many have become long-term members of our staff.

Applying to become a Fellow:

  • CLS invites law students beginning their third year, recent law school graduates, and those with judicial clerkships to apply for sponsorship for a fellowship.
  • For consideration for fellowships that begin in 2016, applications will be accepted until Sunday, July 5, 2015. 
  • Interested applicants must submit the following:
    • Resume
    • Cover letter addressing their interest and experience in public interest and poverty law and describing any ideas for a fellowship proposal (Note:  it is not necessary to have a proposal at the application stage.)
    • Two brief legal writing samples
    • Law school transcript
    • Contact information for three (3) references
  • We encourage interested applicants to consult with us if they have an idea for a fellowship proposal.  We also encourage interested candidates with diverse cultural backgrounds and/or oral proficiency in languages other than English to contact us.
  • CLS interviews fellowship applicants to evaluate if your interests and background are a match for our program’s needs.  If you are selected, CLS will work very closely with you to design the final fellowship proposal to match your interests with the needs of our units and with the requirements of the funder. 
  • CLS does not provide fellowship funding. We will work with you to secure funding from another source, such as a foundation or your law school's own programs.

Resources for those interested in applying for fellowships include:

Candidates may email any questions about the fellowship application process to Beth Shapiro, Esq., Chair of the Attorney Hiring Committee.

Requirements: 

Selection criteria that will be considered in evaluating applicants for sponsorship include:

  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest law;
  • Excellence in oral, written and legal research skills;
  • Academic strength;
  • Experience in or strong interest in representation of low-income individuals and communities;
  • Proficiency in a non-English language spoken by many of CLS’ clients (desired but not required); and
  • Anticipated or current Pennsylvania Bar membership
To Apply: 

Please visit our website at www.clsphila.org to submit your complete application by the deadline of Sunday July 5, 2015.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
July 5, 2015
Organization Information: 
Community Legal Services
1424 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States
Phone: 215-981-3700