Remote Summer Position with the National Juvenile Defender Center
Position: Summer 2021 Law Clerk, Reports to: 2020-2022 Gault Fellow, Location: Virtual Platform
Summary of Position: Current law school students are invited to apply for a 2021 Summer Law Clerk position with the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) in Washington,DC.
NJDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting justice for all children by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense. Through community building, training, and policy reform, we provide national leadership on juvenile defense issues with a focus on curbing the deprivation of young people’s rights in the court system. Our reach extends to urban, suburban, rural, and tribal areas, where we elevate the voices of youth, families, and defenders to create positive case outcomes and meaningful opportunities for children. We also work with broad coalitions to ensure the reform of juvenile courts includes the protection of children’s rights — particularly the right to counsel.
Responsibilities: Law Clerks will assist on a wide range of juvenile defense projects. Responsibilities will include researching and writing on issues related to juvenile justice, with a particular emphasis on juvenile defense. Assignments could include: assisting with the drafting of publications regarding juvenile defense issues; evaluating current and proposed federal or state legislation; addressing the special needs of discrete client populations (e.g., girls; LGBTQ-GNC youth; and youth of color); helping to update policy information regarding juvenile defense and state summaries of juvenile defense research; and opportunities to observe juvenile court practice and/or facilities.
Qualifications: Applicants must be current law students with excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, and an ability to work independently. Applicants should have experience with, or demonstrated interest in juvenile defense, juvenile justice, criminal justice, civil rights, and/or youth rights.
Application Procedure: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and short (approx. 250 word) summary and analysis of the landmark juvenile rights case In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967), with the subject line “Law Clerk Application – [Last Name]” to recruit@njdc.infoas a single .pdf file.
While the position is unpaid, we encourage our interns to obtain funding through public service scholarship programs or academic credit (pre-approval required). Memphis law will grant pro bono credit.
NJDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the organization, see https://njdc.info/
If you are interested in Juvenile Defense, see the “Juvenile Defense Policy and Practice Career Resource Guide” in the Symplicity Document Library.
