Q: Is there anything that Equal Justice Works will not fund?

A: Project: Generally speaking, Equal Justice Works seeks a diverse group of projects addressing issues in a broad variety of substantive areas and locations. There are, however, two caveats. First, Equal Justice Works will fund only projects that target a population located in the United States and its territories. Second, Equal Justice Works will not fund projects proposing routine criminal defense work. Projects centered on indigent criminal defense should focus on innovative services, support or delivery mechanisms that are not adequately funded by the government or that are designed to impact broad criminal justice issues. For example, Equal Justice Works has funded projects involving death penalty work, preventive strategies and systemic issues such as sentencing, alternatives to incarceration and concerns of special populations, such as juveniles and the mentally ill.

Candidate: Any law student or lawyer can apply, regardless of what month or year s/he graduated law school, so long as s/he has graduated by the fall of the beginning of their Fellowship term. Because this Fellowship Program aims to create new public interest positions and launch new careers, Equal Justice Works particularly encourages recent graduates to apply. Fellowship applicants must be third-year law students at or graduates from a 2007-2008 Equal Justice Works law school.

No one who has worked as a full-time, permanent employee with the host organization for any length of time within one year of the application date may serve as a Fellow at that organization. In addition, Equal Justice Works will not fund an applicant who has had another postgraduate Fellowship through Equal Justice Works or any other major fellowship program (including Soros, Skadden and Echoing Green). Bar passage is required if determined necessary by the host organization and by the nature of the project.

Q: When can I view the 2009 Equal Justice Works Fellowships application and when do I have to submit it?

A: The application will be available at the Equal Justice Works website on July 8, 2008. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to create a profile and draft an application well in advance of the deadline to get a sense for how the online application form works. Online drafts can be saved and updated on an ongoing basis until the deadline. The online portion of the application must be submitted online by 5 p.m. EDT on Sept. 16, 2008. Letters of recommendation and the Certification Form must be received (not postmarked) by Equal Justice Works via mail or hand delivery by this deadline.

Q: How many letters of recommendation may I submit? Are they required?

A: Applicants may submit up to two letters of recommendation, which must be mailed or hand-delivered (faxes are not accepted) by the applicant or recommender. Letters of recommendation are not required, but applicants are strongly encouraged to include them. Letters arriving after the application deadline will not be considered, and only two letters per applicant are allowed.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the types of activities in which a Fellow may engage?

A: In general, Equal Justice Works does not impose restrictions on the types of activities in which Fellows may engage. However, Fellows are considered employees of their host organizations, so host organizations that must abide by Legal Services Corporation, Internal Revenue Service or other restrictions are responsible for determining how those restrictions apply to the Fellow.

Q: Can organizations host more than one Equal Justice Works Fellow?

A: Equal Justice Works typically accepts only one Fellow per host organization each class year. Because Fellows serve a two-year term, there may be more than one Fellow hosted at an organization at any given time if class years overlap.

Q: Does Equal Justice Works prioritize particular substantive issues (e.g. domestic violence v. environment) or strategies (e.g. community education v. litigation)?

A: Equal Justice Works considers a wide variety of issue areas, and candidates are encouraged to consider a multistrategy approach. Preference will be given to projects that are designed to impact a large number of people, create programs that can be replicated in other communities, and create lasting institutions or programs.

Q: Are there any locations or issue areas that are more likely to be funded?

A: Equal Justice Works recruits law firms, corporations, bar associations, foundations and individuals that partner with us to fund the Fellowships. These funding partners are referred to as "sponsors." We encourage our sponsors to establish relationships with the Fellows from the beginning of the process throughout the Fellowship term. To facilitate that process, many sponsors provide us with geographic or issue preferences for their Fellowships (sponsors typically select projects based in cities in which they have offices or on issues of interest) and then participate in the interviews. Please refer to Funding Locations and Issues for 2009 for a periodically updated list of sponsor preferences for this year's application cycle.

Q: How does the Equal Justice Works loan repayment assistance program work?

A: Equal Justice Works provides loan repayment assistance to Fellows who qualify through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). The amount of assistance a Fellow will receive depends on the amount of debt, the type of loans and whether the Fellow is eligible for assistance from any other loan repayment assistance programs.

Q: When will I know if I have been invited to interview?

A: Equal Justice Works will contact semifinalists throughout October, November and December to set up interviews. Candidates not selected for an interview will receive a letter in December.

Q: Where will interviews be conducted? Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?

A: Interviews will take place across the country throughout the fall. Each interview location depends upon the sponsor. For instance, a sponsor with offices in New York may choose to interview all semifinalists in New York. Equal Justice Works will make an effort to conduct the interviews in a location convenient to the candidate but will not cover travel expenses, if incurred.

Q: What will I be asked at the interview? How can I prepare?

A: Although there is no set interview format, we recommend that each semifinalist practice some sample questions with his or her prospective host organization in preparation for the interview. Interviewees should know the proposal very well, be familiar with the proposed service area and any other legal services provided in that area. Arrive at the interview location 15 minutes early and wear business attire. If selected to interview, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the proposed project. Above all, just be yourself!

Other questions? Send an email to fellowships@equaljusticeworks.org. Include your name, email address, and phone and fax numbers. If you do not have email, fax your questions to Fellowships Program Assistant at (202) 429-9766.