2004 Equal Justice Works Fellowship Opportunity

New York Office

The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights has worked since 1978 to protect and promote the rights to which everyone is entitled under international law. We work both internationally and in the U.S. to: champion the rights of refugees and workers; ensure justice for the most serious human rights crimes; promote police practices that respect human rights, and extend a lifeline to local human rights defenders. Collaboration, innovation, and the search for lasting solutions are the hallmarks of our approach to the toughest human rights problems.

The Asylum Program is seeking candidates to apply for an Equal Justice Works fellowship (www.equaljusticeworks.org) to assist in monitoring key refugee protection issues in the U.S., including the detention of asylum seekers, and in monitoring actions of the Department of Homeland Security that impact on asylum seekers. The fellow will assist in information gathering, the preparation of human rights reports, and efforts to improve government practices and policies. In addition, the fellow will also work with individual asylum seekers, conducting legal orientation presentations and interviews at detention facilities, and in interviewing potential asylum seekers at LCHR's offices. The fellow will participate in meetings with DHS officials, engage in public outreach, and will be in contact with the network of asylum advocates and attorneys around the world. This is a two-year position.

The fellow will work under the supervision of the Director of the Lawyers Committee's Asylum Program, and will be trained by the Director and by a highly experienced staff attorney. Training will include formal trainings in asylum law, as well as extensive mentoring, and regular meetings to assess the progress of the fellowship and the fellow's work.

Qualifications:

• Law degree;
• Bar admission completed or pending;
• Handling confidential information;
• French required, Spanish or Arabic language skills highly desirable;
• Experience in refugee or asylum law desirable.

SALARY:40,000 plus generous benefits package. All Equal Justice Works’ Fellows are eligible to apply for Equal Justice Works’ Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Fellows also will attend Equal Justice Works’ two national trainings and participate in a national network of Fellows.

APPLICATION:
Cover letter plus resume and (3) references. Writing sample on request.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2004.

Send to:
LAWYERS COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
HR-Equal Justice
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor
10001 - 5004 New York, New York

Or via facsimile to: (212) 845-5299
Or via e-mail to: humanresources@lchr.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE