NAPABA PARTNERS AND IN-HOUSE COUNSEL

COMMUNITY LAW FELLOWSHIP

AT-A-GLANCE OVERVIEW

Revised 1/6/2012 

Click here for a downloadble copy of these instructions.

Important Deadlines

February 17, 2012 *new date*	Applications will be reviewed as they are received. All applications, however, must be emailed, postmarked, or faxed to AAJC by the deadline.
Feb. to March 2012	Semifinalists are selected and interviewed.
April 2012	Fellowship Awarded to Finalist.
September 2012	Fellow Commences Work.

Length of Fellowship

The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program provides funding for a full-time fellow for two years. 

How to Apply

• All applications must be emailed, postmarked, or faxed by February 17, 2012. 
• Please review the “Frequently Asked Questions” section before contacting AAJC.

Overview

The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program was launched in 2004 to address the shortage of attorneys working on behalf of Asian Pacific American populations. Recognizing that many obstacles, including the shortage of entry-level jobs, prevent committed attorneys from practicing public interest law, the Community Law Fellowship provides an opportunity for a new attorney to gain substantive experience at the Asian American Justice Center during the two-year fellowship period. The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program seeks to develop the public interest law leaders of the future, whether they continue to work in the nonprofit arena or become pro bono advocates in the private bar.

The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program was established by a generous gift from Paul W. Lee of Goodwin Procter LLP to The NAPABA Law Foundation. The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program is currently funded through the generous gifts of NAPABA members and Friends of NAPABA. The Program is administered through the NAPABA Law Foundation, which is a charitable organization that awards scholarships, runs educational programs and the Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition to advance issues important to the Asian Pacific American community.

NAPABA PARTNERS AND IN-HOUSE COUNSEL COMMUNITY LAW FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Years 2012 – 2014

The Community Law Fellow

A Community Law Fellow is a third-year graduating law student, recent law graduate or judicial clerk with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and Asian Pacific American issues and who has the relevant skills and initiative to carry out the goals of the project.

The Host Organization

The 2012–2014 Community Law Fellow will be hosted by the Asian American Justice Center, member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. AAJC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization located in Washington, DC. AAJC works to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans, and build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. In accomplishing its mission, AAJC focuses its work on promoting civic engagement, forging strong and safe communities, and creating an inclusive society in communities on a local, regional, and national level. AAJC is a national leading expert on issues of importance to the Asian American community including: affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention/race relations, census, immigrant rights, immigration, language access, and voting rights.

The Selected Project Focus

For the 2012–2014 Community Law Fellowship, AAJC seeks project proposals within the following areas:

• Immigration and Immigrant Rights
  AAJC engages in a range of immigration policy issues to protect the rights of Asian Americans and the broader immigrant community. Preserving and reforming family-based immigration is one of our key priorities. AAJC also engages in national-level policy advocacy on detention and deportation, enforcement, due process, employment-based immigration, and legalization. AAJC currently is also engaged in countering state immigration initiatives, such as Arizona’s SB 1070 and similar laws passed by other states.

• Economic Security & Income Inequality
  AAJC’s work in this area traditionally has been focused on the preservation of safety net programs such as Medicaid primarily through budget advocacy or advocacy to maintain legal permanent residents in these programs. About 11% of Asian Americans live below the poverty line and nearly one-third of Hmong and almost one-fifth of Cambodian and Bangladeshi Americans live in poverty -- far greater than the national average. AAJC seeks to continue and expand its work to address income inequality for Asian Americans.

• Health Care
  Discrimination related to language, culture, affordability and restrictions on legal immigrants continues to impose major barriers to effective health care for the Asian American community. AAJC’s current focus on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will revolve around four aspects: 1) monitoring implementation of the ACA, 2) advocating for implementation and enforcement of the non-discrimination provision, 3) informing non-profit organizations about provisions of the ACA that apply to them, and 4) disseminating materials in Asian languages regarding the ACA.

• Language Access
  AAJC’s language access work is focused on dismantling the barriers that prevent limited-English proficient individuals from accessing government services, and also promoting English language acquisition through improved Adult English Language Learning and bilingual K-12 education. 

While we understand that candidates are likely to have interests spanning several areas, we advise focusing your proposal on one of the areas listed above. Also, AAJC advances its mission through federal policy advocacy, litigation, and community outreach and education, and a well-crafted proposal will incorporate components of all of these.

Fellowship Candidate Evaluation Criteria

• The candidate’s demonstrated or stated commitment to public interest law generally, and specifically to the APA community or the selected project area in which s/he is planning to work.

• The candidate’s professional, volunteer and/or subject matter expertise indicating that s/he possesses the relevant skills and initiative to make the selected project a success.

• The candidate’s demonstrated or potential for leadership.

• Traditional measures of academic achievement, such as grades and law review.

• The candidate’s commitment and ability to fulfill the two-year term required by the program.

• The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program strongly encourages applications from candidates reflecting diverse cultural and experiential backgrounds, people with disabilities, people of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, work experiences, national origins, sexual orientations, and ages.

Terms of Fellowship

The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program requires a two-year commitment, which runs from September 2012 through August 2014.

The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Program will provide a salary of $45,000 per year with a $10,000 payment at the conclusion of the Fellowship, along with medical, dental, and related benefits.

Fellowship Application Process

Key Steps of the Fellowships Application Process:

1. Application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. However, all applications must be emailed, postmarked, or faced to AAJC no later than February 17, 2012. Letters of recommendation may be submitted separately, but must be received by AAJC by March 2, 2012.

2. Semifinalists Dates. From January to March 2012, semifinalists will be selected and interviewed. Finalists will be invited to interview in-person with AAJC staff and NAPABA Law Foundation representatives.

3. Award of Fellowship. In April 2012, the NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship will be awarded to an individual from the finalist pool. All candidates will receive notification of the committee’s final decision.

4. Commencement of Work. The Community Law Fellow commences work in September 2012.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I suggest a project outside of the designated focus areas?
A: No, the focus areas for Community Law Fellowship were determined based on the current needs of the host organization.

Q: Do I need to be a member of the bar to begin my fellowship?
A:  No. But the candidate must have already applied and taken the bar examination prior to the start of the fellowship.

Q: Can I send the letters of recommendation under separate cover?
A:   Yes, letters of recommendation may be sent directly from the recommender or under separate cover from the candidate. However, all letters of recommendation must be received by March 2, 2012.

Questions may be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include your name, email address, and phone number in your e-mail correspondence.

 

THE 2012 – 2014 NAPABA PARTNERS AND IN-HOUSE COUNSEL COMMUNITY LAW FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

 

1. Name:

2. Current Address:

3. Permanent Address (if different):

4. Phone:

5. E-mail:

6. Highest Degree Expected by June 2012 and Area of Specialization (if applicable):

7. Resume: Please attach your resume. The resume should not exceed two pages.

8. Provide information on other previous leadership opportunities, experiences, community service activities, etc. (if not listed on the resume).

9. Essay Project Proposal: Please attach your application essay, which will include your project proposal.  The maximum length for a candidate’s essay is three pages, double-spaced. Effective statements will incorporate the following information: 

   1. What unique background, beliefs, values, and/or experiences (personal and professional) have shaped your career choices and interest in participating in The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship Application?

   2. What do you hope to achieve over the course of the Fellowship? Describe the strategies you intend to employ and the impact you hope to achieve in your selected focus area over the course of the two-year Fellowship.

   3. What is your understanding of the AAJC’s goals and needs, and how do you see yourself contributing to its effectiveness?  Describe your interest in your selected focus area, and detail how your education, skills, and experience have prepared you to undertake this work. 

   4. How do you expect participation in The NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship to contribute to your long-term personal and professional goals?  Please be as specific as possible.

10. Please provide at least two letters of recommendation, along with any supporting materials that you would like the committee to review.

Completed applications must be emailed, postmarked, or faxed to AAJC.  Please choose only one method to submit.

Application Checklist:

• Completed Application Form
• Resume
• Essay & Project Proposal
• Letters of Recommendation (minimum of two)

 

Emailed to:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Subject: NAPABA Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellowship

Faxed to:

Marita Etcubañez

202-296-2318

Mailed to:

Marita Etcubañez

Asian American Justice Center

1140 Connecticut Avenue NW

Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20036