Resources
Learn more about the Rural Summer Legal Corps.
Law Students
Rural Summer Legal Corps
Rural communities in the U.S. and its territories face a shortage of talented lawyers, with a large population of the country being forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance. Participate in Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) and help address the access-to-justice crisis for people living in rural areas.
Each summer, Equal Justice Works partners with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to support 35 dedicated law students who want to serve rural communities, as part of the Rural Summer Legal Corps. Student Fellows spend eight to ten weeks at LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations developing valuable skills and gaining hands-on experience by:
- providing direct legal services such as client and witness interviews, legal research, and writing
- engaging in community outreach and education including fact sheet distribution, strategic partnership development, and presentations
- building capacity at their host organization through resource development and training sessions
Student Fellows tackle a number of results-driven community projects including responding to disaster-related legal issues; addressing affordable housing and evictions; and providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence.
The application for the 2020 Rural Summer Legal Corps will be open on December 18, 2019.
How to Apply
Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé, a summary of professional qualifications and interest in the program, and their top three host organization choices.
Eligibility
All applicants must:
- Be current law students, who have completed at least their first year of law school by the start of their summer placement
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card)
- For several placements, possess a valid driver’s license and access to adequate transportation during summer placement
Funding
Participants will receive a $5,000 stipend for their service. Students have the option to apply for unlimited outside funding through their university or other sources.
Program Participant Expectations
- Attend a three-day training in Washington, D.C.
- Complete 300 hours of service within an eight to ten week period
- Complete all required program reporting and documentation
Host Organizations
Candidates will be required to provide their top three host organization choices. The full list of host organizations is available here.
Housing and Transportation
It is the participant’s responsibility to obtain housing and ensure adequate transportation throughout the summer placement. Host organizations will provide general information, however, it is not the responsibility of the host organization to provide direct housing or transportation assistance.
Application Deadlines
- December 18, 2019
Application Opens - February 10, 2020, 11:59 p.m. EST
Application Closes - Mid-February – March, 2020
Interviews with Host Organizations (rolling basis) - March 20, 2020
Students Notified of Acceptance
Questions?
If you have questions about Rural Summer Legal Corps, please review this website and our Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to [email protected].
Host Organizations
Take a look at the full list of LSC-funded organizations that are currently hosting Student Fellows for the Summer of 2020.
Program Host Organizations
Utah Legal Services
UTAH / St. George
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (SVLAS)
VIRGINIA / Marion
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
MAINE / Presque Isle
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
MISSISSIPPI / Oxford
New Mexico Legal Aid
NEW MEXICO / Selected Pueblos
Michigan Indian Legal Services
MICHIGAN / Traverse City
Participating in this program is an opportunity to bring awareness to this problem and commit myself to serving and improving things in rural communities like mine.
Elizabeth Brown /
2018 Rural Summer Legal Corps Student Fellow
