Job Description

The Bernstein Institute for Human Rights is looking for a Community Justice Fellow to support the expanding work of the Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative. The Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative (JLI) is a collective of current and formerly incarcerated jailhouse lawyers, law students, lawyers and advocates that provide legal training and support to a growing national network of currently incarcerated people. The JLI?s work centers around three areas of impact: 

1. Building a national network of current and former jailhouse lawyers

2. Co-developing legal education and empowerment trainings and curricula for currently incarcerated people

3. Raising the profile of the work of jailhouse lawyers and law clerks to garner recognition by the legal profession, outside advocates, and legal institutions.

There are currently 500 active JLI members working as legal advocates both inside and outside the U.S. prison system. These jailhouse lawyers are able to advocate for themself and others, using their legal knowledge to challenge convictions, defend parental rights, and demand improved conditions from within prison walls. 

Opportunities:

The JLI Community Justice Fellowship will offer tailored mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and access to institutional resources and partnerships. The fellow will join a small and mighty team of community justice advocates who believe that the practice of law can and should be rooted in dignity, care, and human rights. 

Primary Duties:

• Support JLI letters project, with active role in supporting the management of the letter database (e.g. scanning letters), reviewing letters, and crafting responses to JLI members. 

• Collaborate with JLI advisors, law students and Bernstein Institute staff to develop legal resources and modules for distribution to the JLI membership.

• Co-design and lead  trainings for law students on how to collaborate effectively with currently and formerly incarcerated jailhouse lawyers.

• Support the JLI Pen Pal program between law students and JLI members. 

• Support the launch of the new Flashlights Project, a multimedia online convening space that will house a publicly searchable database of letters from JLI members. 

• Coordinate better integration of JLI advisors into the ongoing projects of JLI. 

• Develop networking ties with JLI collaborators, partner organizations, and justice-impacted advocates. 

• Support the JLI Feminist Circles project- an initiative to understand the gendered experiences of women-identifying jailhouse lawyers. 

• Participate in strategic planning and growth of the JLI. 

General Qualifications:

• Creative, self-starter with strong organizational and interpersonal skills 

• Experience in community/movement building, organizing or participating in justice-oriented campaigns

• Adaptable and flexible in working across teams and stakeholders

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Detailed oriented and able to work independently as well as in groups

• Reliable/on-time and accountable for the quality of work

• Direct experience as a formerly incarcerated jailhouse lawyer or law clerk.

Required Qualifications:

• Able to commit to 25 hours per week during hours of operation: M-F 9am-5pm (please include availability in cover letter)

• By applying to this position, you are certifying that you will be residing within the U.S. if you are hired.

NYC Pay Transparency Act

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the hourly rate for this position is $40-$40. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Applicant should submit (1) a cover letter addressing the qualifications described above (2) a resume or curriculum vitae; and (3) the names and contact information for three references.

Submit these materials to: law.bernstein-institute@nyu.edu , with subject ?JLI Community Justice Fellow? in the subject line of the email.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with an ideal start date no later than March 1, 2023.

For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: 

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Sustainability Statement 

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability

About New York University

Founded in 1831, New York University is now one of the largest private universities in the United States. Of the more than 3,000 colleges and universities in America, New York University is one of only 60 member institutions of the distinguished Association of American Universities.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs