Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States to Speak at Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82^nd Attorney General of the United States will be the keynote speaker at its Conference and Career Fair on October 22–24, 2020.

“Equal Justice Works is honored to have former United States Attorney General Eric H. Holder share his perspectives on issues facing our democracy, including voting, gerrymandering, racial injustice, and experiences that have shaped his long career in public service,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “We look forward to seeing how his remarks will inspire law students and young lawyers to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.”

Each fall, the Conference and Career Fair, the largest national public interest legal career fair, brings together more than 200 public interest employers and 1,400 law students and recent law graduates from more than 150 law schools. This year, the Conference and Career Fair will go virtual due to health and safety concerns and will be a three-day digital event to accommodate the geographical diversity of participants.

At the Conference and Career Fair, attendees can participate in prescheduled interviews, workshops, and informal “table talk” discussions; receive résumé advice; and network in breakout rooms with law students, legal professionals, and other members of the public interest law community.

This year, attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82^nd Attorney General of the United States, who will join a Zoom call with Judge Ann Claire Williams, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to discuss his commitment to public service, as well as addressing important topics in public interest law.

“The Conference is a great opportunity to meet other students, connect with employers and practitioners, and there are always interesting sessions to attend,” said Marissa Embola, a law clerk for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Marissa attended the Conference and Career Fair while she was a student at the University of Michigan Law School.

Visit here to learn more about the event.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Program Expands on Organization’s Work to Mobilize Lawyers to Address Elder Abuse and Exploitation in the United States 

WASHINGTON, D.C., AUGUST 27, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the launch of the Elder Justice Program, a two-year Fellowship program aimed at improving the national response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Each year, millions of older Americans experience some form of abuse, neglect, and/or financial exploitation. Studies show that elder abuse—which includes psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as caregiver neglect, financial fraud, and exploitation—affects about 1 out of every 10 people age 60 and older.

“We are pleased to launch this program dedicated to the incredibly important work of serving our elder community,” said Sara Morello, executive vice president at Equal Justice Works. “The Elder Justice Program builds on the organization’s successful history of equipping public interest lawyers with the resources they need to help victims of elder abuse obtain justice and restore their dignity, safety, and financial security.”

The Elder Justice Program will place 22 Fellows (lawyers) at legal services organizations across the country where they will address the gap in civil legal services for victims of elder abuse and exploitation, with a special emphasis on serving rural communities.

Fellows will work on wide-ranging civil legal issues such as financial exploitation, housing, protection orders, guardianship, and public benefits. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fellows will use creative and innovative approaches to conduct safe and effective outreach to meet the legal needs of their clients. Throughout the Fellowship, Equal Justice Works and its program partner Justice in Aging will provide training and technical assistance to Fellows.

Over the past three decades, Equal Justice Works has awarded more than 2,000 Fellowships to lawyers committed to public service. More than 85 percent of Fellows remain in public service, continuing to pursue equal justice for underserved communities across the country.

The Elder Justice Program is supported under grant 2019-V3-GX-K033, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this press release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This federal funding is supplemented by funds from private donors.

Visit here to meet the Fellows in the Elder Justice Program and click here to learn more about how you can support Equal Justice Works in its efforts to mobilize lawyers to provide legal services to communities in need.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Program Builds on Organization’s Work to Respond to the Increasing Demand for Disaster Legal Aid

WASHINGTON, D.C., AUGUST 17, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the launch of the Disaster Resilience Program, a Fellowship program focused on disaster lawyering.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a brutal reminder of the continued need for lawyers who can help individuals and families prepare for and respond to the unique challenges arising from all kinds of disasters,” said Sara Morello, executive vice president at Equal Justice Works. “We are tremendously proud to create the Disaster Resilience program, which builds on our organization’s 15 years of experience and expertise in mobilizing passionate public service leaders focused on supporting communities when a disaster occurs.”

The Disaster Resilience Program will begin with a cohort of 6 Fellows (lawyers) and 6 Student Fellows (law students) at legal services organizations in Texas and Florida, where they will address the critical legal needs that low-income communities face before, during, and after a disaster including COVID-19. Fellows will serve as on-the-ground experts, helping clients secure disaster benefits, challenge unlawful evictions, clear property titles, tackle insurance claim disputes and scams, and other pressing legal needs that support the overall wellbeing and stability of a community. In addition to this work, Fellows will provide resources and support to other organizations that are assisting clients affected by COVID-19 and other natural disasters. Equal Justice Works continues to raise funds to support additional Fellows and ongoing cohorts in this program.

Throughout the Fellowship, program participants will receive ongoing trainings, resources, and tools for collaboration to ensure that they are an effective force in responding to the increased demand for disaster legal aid.

To date, Equal Justice Works has mobilized more than 80 lawyers to deliver legal services to disaster-affected communities. Fellows have responded to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Sandy, Ike, Katrina, and Rita; Tropical Storm Imelda; flooding in the Gulf Coast; tornadoes in Missouri and Oklahoma; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; and most recently the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Visit here to meet the Fellows in the Disaster Resilience Program and click here to learn more about how you can support Equal Justice Works in its efforts to mobilize lawyers to provide legal services to communities in need.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the newest members of its National Advisory Committee.

Formed in 2003, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) is a diverse group of eight law students and eight law school professionals who serve as Equal Justice Works ambassadors within the law school and legal services communities. NAC members extend the reach of Equal Justice Works initiatives by providing leadership, feedback, and outreach assistance to support the organization’s mission to create opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for public service into a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

“We are pleased to announce our 2020-2022 National Advisory Committee members,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, director of law school engagement & advocacy at Equal Justice Works.

“These new NAC members will bring a fresh perspective on what’s happening on law school campuses across the nation, which will help guide our efforts to help students in launching their public interest law careers.”

NAC members serve two-year staggered terms—this year, four students and two law school professionals will join the Committee to replace members who have completed their terms of service. The newest members of the 2020-2022 National Advisory Committee include:

Law Students:

• Xavier T. de Janon, Golden Gate State University School of Law
• Michael Harding, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
• Nicole Schaum, University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
• Nathan Virag, John Marshall Law School

Law School Professionals:

• Darcy Meals, Georgia State University College of Law
• Trisha Nakamura, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law

The current list of NAC members is available here.

Due to public health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the NAC will host its annual meeting virtually on July 29–30, 2020. At the meeting, members will brainstorm how to best expand access and knowledge of public interest law in their respective regions.

If you are interested in joining the National Advisory Committee or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

This summer, Equal Justice Works is launching the Immigration Summer Legal Corps (ISLC), a new program that supports 20 law students in providing legal services for low-income immigrants.

Program participants, called Student Fellows are hosted at legal services organizations, where they spend eight to ten weeks during the summer helping to expand high-quality comprehensive legal services and resources for low-income immigrants affected by the coronavirus pandemic. To best support the health and safety of the Student Fellows and the immigrant communities they will serve, their host organizations have adjusted their projects to support remote work.

Here’s what our 2020 ISLC Student Fellows will accomplish this summer:

Molly Albano, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Hosted by Ayuda, Molly will join the organization’s Domestic Violence/Family Law Program, where she will assist staff attorneys in providing culturally competent, trauma-informed legal services to immigrant crime victims. Molly will also be part of the Immigration Legal team, working alongside staff attorneys to help clients prepare detailed declarations in support of their applications for T-visas as well as asylum relief in Immigration Court. To learn more about Molly’s project, click here.

Kelechi Alfred-Igbokwe, St. John’s University Law School

Hosted by the New York Civil Liberties Union, Kelechi will help the organization shine a light on egregious immigration enforcement and detention in New York State. To learn more about Kelechi’s project, click here.

Samantha Arreguri, Florida International College of Law

Hosted by Americans for Immigrant Justice, Samantha will serve in the organization’s Family Defense Program, which focuses on educating immigrant across South Florida about their rights and changes in immigration policies, as well as providing legal screenings, connection to pro-bono attorneys for representation, and direct representation in more complex immigration matters. To learn more about Samantha’s project, click here.

Efeoghene Ayanruoh, The University of Iowa College of Law

Hosted by Legal Assistance of Western New York, Efeoghene will expand the organization’s capacity to meet the needs of low-income refugee families in Monroe County. Efeoghene will help provide legal services related to employment, public benefits, housing, and health law. To learn more about Efeoghene’s project, click here.

Micah Burns, Mississippi College School of Law

Hosted by the Mississippi Center for Justice, Micah will respond to the state’s largest removal raid through public records requests, litigation, and community partnerships. To learn more about Micah’s project, click here.

Diana Cabrera-Vega, University of California, Davis School of Law

Hosted by Bay Area Legal Aid, Diana will provide direct legal services by identifying forms of relief available to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. To learn more about Diana’s project, click here.

Victoria Comesañas, Stanford Law School

Hosted by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Victoria will work with the organization’s direct service team to advocate on behalf of unaccompanied minors in Harris and Montgomery counties of Texas. To learn more about Victoria’s project, click here.

Yohannes Ejigu, Temple University Beasley School of Law

Hosted by HIAS Pennsylvania, Yohannes will assist staff attorneys in providing services to low-income immigrants regarding the adjustment of status, removal defense, family unification, citizenship, and asylum. To learn more about Yohannes’ project, click here.

Patrick Guiliani, University of Notre Dame Law School

Hosted by Florence Immigration and Refugee Rights Project, Patrick will focus on writing, research, and advocacy relating to Habeus Corpus proceedings in relation to COVID-19 and prolonged wrongful detention. He will play a crucial role in setting up resources and materials for pro bono attorneys to assist in cases. To learn more about Patrick’s project, click here.

Maggie LaPoint, Harvard Law School

Hosted by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Maggie will support the organization’s Family Detention Project, which serves women and children detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center. At the Center, Maggie will provide legal services in the form of asylum-related immigration work to the women and children detained there. To learn more about Maggie’s project, click here.

Jana Moss, American University Washington College of Law

Hosted by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Jana will provide legal services to unaccompanied children residing in Washington, D.C., Alexandria City, and the Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William. To learn more about Jana’s project, click here.

Chelsea Muir, UC Berkeley Law

Hosted by the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, Chelsea will join the organization’s Border Action Team to help identify and serve members of at-risk immigrant populations. To learn more about Chelsea’s project, click here.

Fernanda Palacios Herrera, St. Marys University Law School

Hosted by the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Fernanda will support the organization’s efforts to meet the legal needs of people seeking asylum, immigrant crime victims, and children eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. To learn more about Fernanda’s project, click here.

Tania Parra, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

Hosted by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Tania will prepare merits filings and state court filings for unaccompanied minors in the Union, Hudson, Essex, and Bergen counties of New Jersey. To learn more about Tania’s project, click here.

Veronica Philipsborn, California Western School of Law

Hosted by the Immigration Justice Project, Veronica will expand the organization’s capacity to meet the legal needs of detained clients at the Otay Mesa Detention and Center and its non-detained clients in the greater San Diego area. To learn more about Veronica’s project, click here.

Gabriela Reyes Ventura, City University of New York School of Law

Hosted by Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Gabriela will provide legal services to undocumented youth throughout the Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, San Diego County, and cities throughout Northern California and the Central Coast. To learn more about Gabriela’s project, click here.

Will Sheehan, Roger Williams University School of Law

Hosted by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), Will will be responsible for a variety of matters related to the organization’s Health Justice Program, including completing comprehensive immigration and health screenings. He will also work closely with NYLPI’s immigration attorney on several representation matters, including asylum and U-visas cases for individuals with serious health conditions. To learn more about Will’s project, click here.

Jeffrey Simon, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Hosted by Tahirih Justice Center, Jeffrey will support Tahirih-Atlanta’s representation of survivors at the Immigration Court level and assisting with the development of the organization’s Atlanta Appellate Project. To learn more about Jeffrey’s work, click here.

Arianne Thomas, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Hosted by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Arianne will assist attorneys and paralegals in representing immigrants and Spanish-speaking agricultural workers through the organization’s Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights Practice Group. To learn more about Arianne’s project, click here.

Jacqueline Zurmuhlen, City University of New York School of Law

Hosted by Public Law Center, Jacqueline will expand access to justice for low-income residents by providing direct legal services, conducting legal research, and writing in support of removal defense cases. To learn more about Jacqueline’s project, click here.

We are excited to see what our Immigration Summer Legal Corps Student Fellows will accomplish this summer. Learn more about the program here.

Twenty law students will spend their summer responding to the critical legal needs of underserved and low-income immigrant communities affected by COVID-19 public health crisis.

 WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 6, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the selection of 20 law students for its Immigration Summer Legal Corps (ISLC).

“The coronavirus pandemic is creating significant challenges for immigrant communities across our country,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, director of law school engagement and advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “We are proud to launch this law student program aimed at increasing access to justice for immigrant communities in these difficult times.”

Selected from 375 applications, these 20 law students will spend eight to ten weeks hosted at legal services organizations across 13 states, helping to expand high-quality comprehensive legal services and resources for low-income immigrants affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, Student Fellows will work remotely to support the efforts of their host organizations, assisting with both immediate relief needs and long-term recovery efforts from this public health crisis. Student Fellows will help clients virtually through video conferencing, online intakes, and over phone and email; and engage in community outreach through virtual clinics and presentations.

Because immigration is a multi-disciplinary area of law, Student Fellows in the program will work on a range of projects such as assisting farmworkers, educating immigrants about their rights and changes in immigration policies, and providing services to unaccompanied minors. Some of this year’s projects include:

• Diana Cabrera-Vega, a law student at the University of California, Davis School of Law, will spend the summer serving immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Diana will be hosted by Bay Area Legal Aid.
• Will Sheehan will support his host organization, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, on their Health Justice Program by completing comprehensive immigration and health screenings. Will is a law student at Roger Williams University School of Law.
• Arianne Thomas will assist attorneys and paralegals at her host organization, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., in representing immigrants and Spanish-speaking agricultural workers. Arianne is a law student at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Click here to learn about the 2020 ISLC Student Fellows and their projects.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact:

Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-466-3686
equaljusticeworks.org

Thirty-five law students will spend their summer helping to address the effects of COVID-19 in rural communities across the nation. 

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 27, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, today announced the selection of 35 law students for its Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC).

“The Rural Summer Legal Corps offers law students direct exposure to a potential career and supports civil legal aid organizations working tirelessly to meet the needs of their community,” said LSC President Ron Flagg. “The shortage of lawyers in rural areas is well documented, and Fellows’ service this summer during the COVID-19 health crisis is particularly important as the numbers of people eligible for LSC-funded services and the legal needs of Americans living in poverty are spiking.”

Launched in 2016, RSLC places law students at LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations to address pressing legal issues facing rural communities across the United States and its territories. Program participants, called Student Fellows, spend eight to ten weeks during the summer exploring a career in civil legal aid by providing direct legal services, engaging in community outreach and education, and building capacity at the organizations where they serve.

Selected from 446 applications, the 2020 class of Rural Summer Legal Corps Fellows includes 35 students from 30 law schools who will work at 31 LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations across the country, providing legal assistance to people in rural areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This year, Student Fellows will work remotely to support the efforts of their host organizations, helping clients virtually through video conferencing, online intakes, and over phone and email.

“The Rural Summer Legal Corps is a perfect opportunity for service-minded law students to get a preview of what it’s like to be a legal aid attorney, all while making a positive impact on individuals and families living in rural areas,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that people in all parts of our country have access to the legal services they need to put them on a path to recovery from the COVID-19 health crisis.”

The Class of 2020 RSLC Student Fellows will take on challenging projects that address a range of legal issues. Examples of these projects include:

• Ally Hicks will work on reducing homelessness by connecting individuals facing or at risk of eviction with civil legal services. Ally, a law student at Belmont University College of Law, will be hosted by Kentucky Legal Aid.
• Lora Church will support her host organization, New Mexico Legal Aid, in expanding its community presence in strategically selected Native American Nations, by performing outreach, conducting client intake, and providing legal services. Lora is a law student at the University of New Mexico School of Law.
• Miguel Cardenas De Avila will help older farmworkers in rural areas of Oregon gain equitable access to justice and employment opportunities. Miguel, a law student at the University of Oregon School of Law, will be hosted by the Legal Aid Services of Oregon.

RSLC Student Fellows have helped hundreds of rural communities. In 2019, law students in the program served in 25 states, providing direct legal services to more than 2,000 individuals and creating more than 300 community partnerships. Click here to learn about the 2020 Student Fellows and their projects.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

About Legal Services Corporation

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 133 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Visit www.lsc.gov for more information.

Contact:

Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-466-3686
equaljusticeworks.org

78 public interest lawyers will spend the next two years serving at legal services organizations across the nation to increase access to justice.

 The 2020 class of Fellows received sponsorship from 89 law firms, corporations, private foundations, and individual donors.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today named its 2020 class of Equal Justice Works Fellows. Seventy-eight law school graduates will launch their careers through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship project of their own design.

“The Equal Justice Works Fellowship program is an incredible opportunity for passionate public service leaders to put their legal skills to work in communities most in need,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “We are proud to welcome these new Fellows who will join the national effort to help respond to current and emerging legal issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Selected from 432 applications, the 2020 class of Equal Justice Works Fellows includes graduates from 46 law schools who will work at 74 legal services organizations across 21 states and Washington, D.C. Among this year’s sponsors are 30 leading law firms recognized in the Am Law 200 and 25 Fortune 500 corporations.

Equal Justice Works Fellows in the 2020 class have created projects to address a wide range of legal issues, including those associated with COVID-19. Examples of these projects include:

• Josephine Herman will be hosted by Catholic Charities of New York, where she will establish a new medical-legal partnership, the first focused on indigenous Central American immigrant youth in New York. Josephine, a graduate of Harvard Law School, is cosponsored by KPMG and Sidley Austin LLP.
• Vallen Solomon will provide legal advocacy to young adults experiencing or exiting systems of care into homelessness, through holistic, youth-centered services and increased legal literacy on evictions and tenant rights. Vallen, a graduate of Seattle University School of Law, is cosponsored by Costco Wholesale and The Raikes Foundation and will be hosted at the King County Bar Association’s Housing Justice Project.
• KyMara Guidry, a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, will be hosted at Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, where she will expand legal advocacy available to Georgia foster youth to keep them in schools with appropriate supports and accommodations. KyMara’s Fellowship is cosponsored by Southern Company and Troutman Pepper.
• Deborah Choi will be hosted by Muslim Advocates, where she will disrupt the exclusion of communities of color from American citizenship by challenging denaturalization and related immigration policies through direct representation, impact litigation, and advocacy. Deborah, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, is sponsored by an anonymous supporter.
• Shana Tomenes, a graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, will be hosted at the Housing Justice Center, where she will advocate for Minnesotans state-wide who struggle to secure and preserve affordable housing in their communities. Shana’s Fellowship is sponsored by the Target Corporation.

Each year, Equal Justice Works selects a class of public interest lawyers who have designed innovative projects in partnership with legal services organizations to address unmet legal needs and underserved communities. These projects are funded by the generous support of law firms, corporations, private foundations, and individuals.

“Community engagement is closely aligned with Target’s purpose of helping all families,” said Don Liu, Target’s executive vice president and chief legal & risk officer. “We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 2020 Equal Justice Works Fellowship program and honored to be included in this important work.”

Over the past three decades, Equal Justice Works has awarded more than 2,000 Fellowships to lawyers who are committed to ensuring equal access to justice for underserved communities across the country. On average, 85% of Equal Justice Works Fellows remain in public service positions, continuing to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.

Click here for a full list of the 2020 Equal Justice Works Fellows, host organizations, and sponsors.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Laura Stein of The Clorox Company to be recognized for her commitment to public service with the Scales of Justice Award at the Equal Justice Works 2020 Annual Dinner

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that it will honor Laura Stein, executive vice president and general counsel—Corporate Affairs of The Clorox Company (Clorox), with its Scales of Justice Award.

“The Scales of Justice Award is designed to recognize those from across the legal profession who are steadfast in their commitment to increasing equal access to justice, both on an individual level and as leaders in their field,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Laura Stein is a pro bono champion and a dedicated advocate for underserved communities. We are proud to present her with this award.”

Each year, Equal Justice Works presents the Scales of Justice Award to a leader in the legal community who exemplifies a high-level of commitment to public service and a passion for equal justice; has advanced the organization’s mission and vision throughout their career; and has set a strong example for what lawyers and legal professionals can and should do to contribute to efforts in the public interest and toward greater access to justice for all.

Laura will receive the Scales of Justice Award at the 2020 Equal Justice Works Annual Dinner in Washington, D.C., on October 13, 2020.

Throughout her esteemed career, Laura has been a committed leader of pro bono work, serving as a source of inspiration to other legal professionals. At Clorox, Laura has played an instrumental role in shaping the company’s corporate social responsibility ethos. In 2005, she helped to establish Clorox’s pro bono program through which legal professionals at the company can spearhead a pro bono project to address an issue affecting the local community. The award-winning program has supported a number of initiatives, including assisting victims of domestic violence in family court, representing tenants in housing disputes, and providing reentry support to formerly incarcerated people.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always been passionate about access to justice,” said Laura Stein, executive vice president and general counsel—Corporate Affairs of The Clorox Company. “Receiving an award like this from Equal Justice Works is especially meaningful because of the important work they do connecting lawyers with people who need legal services and our shared commitment to giving a voice to all and promoting lasting change in underserved communities.”

As a leader at Clorox, Laura co-chairs Clorox’s corporate responsibility program, working to ensure that the company addresses environmental sustainability in its operations and products, diversity and inclusion in its workplace, and responsible sourcing and philanthropy, among other business areas. Under her leadership, Clorox has been recognized for a number of corporate responsibility achievements, including being named one of Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies. Laura has also supported Clorox’s public health response to natural disasters and disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, Ebola in West Africa, the chikungunya, dengue, and Zika outbreaks in the Americas. She previously served as chair of Support, Heart and Opportunity for Women (SHOW), a Clorox employee resource group focused on supporting and advancing women in the workplace and in their lives outside the workplace.

As a leader in the legal profession, Laura is co-chair of Pro Bono Institute’s Corporate Pro Bono Advisory Board and has served as chair of Equal Justice Works, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Domestic Violence and as vice-chair of the East Bay Community Law Center. She has been a member of several advisory boards including the ABA Center for Human Rights, the ABA Presidential Task Force on the Preservation of Justice and the Legal Services Corporation Leaders Council. Since 2011, Laura has served as a member of the Equal Justice Works Annual Dinner Steering Committee.

Laura has earned numerous accolades for her exemplary leadership and pro bono work, including the American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Award, Legal Momentum’s Women of Achievement Award, DirectWomen’s Sandra Day O’Connor Board Excellence Award, Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh’s Ted Craig Humanitarian Award, and the Corporate Board Member America’s Top General Counsel Recognition Award. The National Law Journal has also named her as one of the 20 most influential general counsel in America.

Click here for more information about the 2020 Equal Justice Works Annual Dinner.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686
equaljusticeworks.org

Accomplished public interest leader from the National Crime Victim Law Institute joins the Equal Justice Works Board of Directors

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, is proud to announce that 2016 Equal Justice Works Fellow Joshua Medina has joined the organization’s board of directors. Joshua is currently a staff attorney and pro bono coordinator with the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), an organization that advances victims’ rights nationwide through legal advocacy, training and education, and public policy.

“We are delighted to welcome Josh to our board of directors,” said David Stern, executive director of Equal Justice Works. “His experience as a recent Equal Justice Works Fellow will bring an important perspective as we work to create opportunities for more passionate public service leaders, just like Joshua, to serve their communities and help those in need.”

At NCVLI, Joshua manages the National Alliance of Victims’ Rights Attorneys & Advocates (NAVRA), coordinates the organization’s pro bono efforts, conducts trainings, and fulfills technical assistance requests from attorneys and victim advocates around the country. This includes providing training and technical assistance to Equal Justice Works Fellows in the Crime Victims Justice Corps.

Joshua began leading nonprofit legal programs in 2012, first in Oregon and later in Alabama, where he built multi-level, collaborative programs that created access to justice for immigrant communities, with a focus on victims of trafficking, abuse, and other crimes. Joshua became an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Justice AmeriCorps program in 2016, through which he continued facilitating access to legal services for marginalized communities. During his Fellowship, Joshua was hosted at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he provided critical legal services to unaccompanied immigrant and asylum-seeking children in immigration court proceedings.

“I am grateful to Equal Justice Works for giving me the opportunity to empower underserved individuals and families in the South,” said Joshua. “I have experienced firsthand the collective momentum created by the Equal Justice Works community, and I feel honored to help guide the organization’s efforts to bring equal access to justice to underserved people and communities across the country.”

Joshua is an active member of the Equal Justice Works alumni community, working to ensure that current Fellows have the same opportunities and positive experiences that he did. He shares tools and resources with Fellows working in the victims’ rights field and regularly presents at the Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training, a three-day training that provides Fellows with opportunities to network and acquire the skills needed to succeed throughout their projects and beyond.

Joshua earned his B.A. in Psychology from New Mexico State University, and his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. He previously served as a board member at the Oregon Community Foundation’s Latino Partnership Program.

A full list of Equal Justice Works Board of Directors can be found here.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact

Heena Patel
Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686
equaljusticeworks.org