Thanks to our Class of 2024 Alumni Reviewers!

Equal Justice Works would like to thank the following alumni for helping us select the Equal Justice Works Fellows Class of 2024! Your time and expertise is invaluable and we are grateful for your continued support of our organization and the field of public interest law.

• Oluremi Abiodun
• Kara Acevedo
• Jessica Alas
• Alicia Alvarado
• Raneem F. Ashrawi
• Sara Baez
• Maria Baldini-Potermin
• Gabriella Barbosa
• Sarah Belton
• Yael Ben Tov
• Esha Bhandari
• Brianna Boone
• Natalia Botella
• Whitney Braunstein
• Matthew Brooks
• Brittany Brooks
• Mitchell Brown
• Sean Burke
• Kristen Cappelli
• Jacob Carrel
• Ashley Carter
• Maria Ceballos-Zagales
• Grace Choi
• Emily Chong
• Molly Coe
• Krissy Colvin
• Joseph Cordova
• Elizabeth Cumming
• Jordan Cunnings
• Ashley Dalton
• Daniela Donoso
• Eric Eingold
• Kimberly Fay
• Nathan Fennell
• Rosie Frihart-Lusby
• Andy Froelich
• Lisa Frydman
• Mary Georgevich
• Brady Granger
• Carol Gray
• Eliana Green
• Ilkin Gurbanov
• Yesenia Gutierrez
• Bethany Hamilton
• Jane Handley
• Megan Harkins
• Liz Hempstead
• Kateland Henson
• Sarah Hollender
• Stephanie Horwitz
• Alexandra Hunstein
• Brandie Ingalls
• Kirsten Jacobson
• Monika Kashyap
• Amanda Klemas
• Victoria Larson
• Abbey Lent
• A.D. Lewis
• Rachel Lieb
• Joseph Longley
• Meghan Lucas
• Suma Mathai
• Natalie Maxwell
• Daphne McGee
• Catrina Miksis
• Jess Millward
• Karen Miniex
• Najmu Mohseen
• Rachel Molsberry
• Kyla Moore
• Kemi Mustapha
• Mai Nguyen
• Kerry O’Brien
• Kel O’Hara
• Clarence Okoh
• Dana Paikowsky
• Lisa Luz Parker
• Lauren Peach
• Caitlin Pevey
• Andrea Poplawski
• Tori Porell
• Claire Raba
• Carlos Ramos-Hernandez
• Chesley Roberts
• Tobias Rodriguez
• Beatrice Roger
• Cristian Sanchez
• Edith Sangueza
• Michelle Saucedo
• Victoria Sexton
• Rachel Shapiro
• Lisa Shirley
• Samah Sisay
• Scott Sloss
• Clara Spera
• Ranie Thompson
• Sheri Tolliver
• Laura Townsend
• Ryan Ueda
• Jessica Valadez
• Danny Waxwing
• Brooke Weitzman
• Amy Willis
• Brendan Wood

Alumni reviewer registration is now open for the Class of 2025 Design-Your-Own Fellowship application.

The window for review is September 17-October 21, and you can select between 3 and 10 applications to review that aligned with your stated issue area expertise. Equal Justice Works provides a rubric and instructions on using the Submittable platform. The estimated time commitment is approximately 45 minutes per app plus 25 minutes to setup in Submittable, review the instructions and get familiar with the rubric.

We hope you’ll consider registering here. Registration ends September 10!

Update January 6, 2025:

Equal Justice Works is reopening the application for the Housing Justice Program RFP No. HJP-24A09 for Maryland-based attorney Fellow positions only.  

The attorney Fellow positions available must comply with the Access to Counsel in Evictions statute (Md. Code, Real Property § 8-901 et seq.). As a result, they can only provide representation to covered individuals in judicial or administrative proceedings to evict or terminate the tenancy or housing subsidy. Additionally, these Fellows may dedicate a portion of their time to outreach and education related to tenant rights in Maryland.  

The RFP will remain open and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until subaward funds are fully allocated. Fellows will serve for two years, beginning no later than August 2025, and ending no later than December 31, 2026.

July 24, 2024:

Equal Justice Works invites eligible organizations based in Maryland and South Carolina to submit proposals to participate as Host Organizations in the 2024 Housing Justice Program.   

The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program mobilizes a cohort of lawyers and community organizers working collaboratively as Fellows to serve low-income individuals who are currently or at risk of experiencing housing instability and involuntary displacement, particularly due to eviction.  

The 2024 Housing Justice Program will expand the efforts of the 2022 Housing Justice Program in Maryland and South Carolina to help low‐income households avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Equal Justice Works seeks to allocate approximately 15 Fellows in Maryland and South Carolina: 12 attorney Fellows and three community organizer Fellows hosted at legal services organizations and community-based organizations. Host Organizations will participate in the Housing Justice Program by hosting one or more Fellows; organizations may apply to host attorney Fellows, organizer Fellows, or a combination of both. These 15 Fellows will work cooperatively to:   

• Provide direct legal assistance including advice, referrals, and full representation for tenants in eviction proceedings;   
• Build collaborative partnerships with community organizations and provide referrals for wraparound services;   
• Engage in outreach including know-your-rights presentations and workshops, legal clinics, and intake events around housing issues; and   
• Identify patterns, organize tenants, engage in impact litigation to challenge structural issues, and educate key stakeholders around the causes and consequences of housing instability; and 
• Where a right to counsel exists in eviction cases, identify on-the-ground implementation problems and coordinate with other legal services providers.  

Fellows will serve for two years, beginning on or about September 1, 2024, and ending no later than 24 months after the Fellow’s start date.  

The Housing Justice Program is funded by Maryland Legal Services Corporation, The JPB Foundation, and the South Carolina Bar Foundation.  

Please see links to the full Request for Proposals (RFP) and accompanying appendices below. Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through the online application portal.

Resources 

Before applying, please review the following materials:  

• Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program RFP No. HJP-24A09
• Equal Justice Works Standard Grant Award Conditions for Non-Federal Grants  
• Sample Fellow Position Description, Attorney Fellow
• Sample Fellow Position Description, Organizer Fellow  
• ACE Data Elements 

Templates & Forms 

The following materials are required for submission:  

• Proposal Narrative
• Proposal Workplan and Targets
• Budget Template
• Policy Certification
• Certification for Data Privacy
• Pre-award Survey
• Risk Assessment Tool
• IRS Forms 
• Financial Statements 

If you have any questions about the application process, please read the Frequently Asked Questions here or reach out to [email protected].   

Equal Justice Works is currently conducting its annual needs assessment for the Disaster Resilience Program to understand the legal needs of low-income communities affected by or at risk of disasters. Click here to complete the survey for your organization by November 29. 

This assessment aims to collect information from legal aid providers across the country on their current need and capacity to provide disaster legal assistance. Answers from this survey will be used to understand whether and how Equal Justice Works may help support the response of local service providers through its Disaster Resilience Program. Once the assessment is closed, Equal Justice Works will analyze the data and determine what program strategy will be most effective and responsive to the needs identified. 

As we continue to expand this program and mobilize Fellows across the country, your assistance in this survey could help bring Fellows to your area! 

Please take a few minutes to complete the needs assessment here on behalf of your organization. The survey will close on November 29, 2024. Only one assessment per office please. We encourage you to forward this survey to colleagues outside of your organization and who may be interested in hosting Equal Justice Works Fellows in the future and who can provide additional insight for our consideration.  

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].

To learn more about the Disaster Resilience Program, click here. 

Applications for the 2025 Design-Your-Own Fellowship are open until 11:59PM ET/8:59 PM PT on September 10. Visit here for more details about the Fellowship, and to access resources and information about the application process. 

The Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship program serves a dual purpose: to jumpstart the careers of aspiring public interest lawyers, and to build crucial capacity at legal services organizations nationwide. Equal Justice Works does not match candidates and their host organizations; instead, both parties collaborate closely to design a project and apply for the Fellowship together. If you are a 2025 Fellowship candidate who does not yet have a host, check out our round-up below for organizations seeking partners. If you are a host organization still seeking prospective Fellows and do not see your solicitation listed here, email us at [email protected] to add or remove your listing. 

*Note: this list is not comprehensive, and the postings it shares are subject to change. Please communicate directly with prospective host organizations for up-to-date information on partnership plans. 

ACLU of Massachusetts | Boston 

ACLUM works on cutting-edge civil rights and civil liberties issues. We have undertaken groundbreaking litigation and advocacy on incarceration during COVID-19, free speech, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice, reproductive rights, transgender rights, open government, police accountability, government surveillance, racial justice, and other issues. If funded, fellows will work with ACLUM’s legal director, managing attorneys and staff attorneys on trial-level and appellate work. Fellows may also work with staff members on non-litigation advocacy, such as public education, legislative work, public speaking, community organizing, and investigation. 

Bread for the City | Washington, DC

Bread for the City’s family law team represents survivors of domestic violence seeking assistance with matters such as custody, child support, divorce, and civil protection orders. Bread for the City is looking for a fellowship candidate interested in developing a project within this practice area. We are open to different proposals to address the family law needs of D.C. residents who are survivors of domestic violence. We are particularly interested in proposals that include collaborative or restorative justice projects aimed at providing alternative options for parties.

If selected, Bread will work very closely with you to design the final project proposal to match your interests with the needs of our clinic and the target community with the requirements of the funder.

Chicago Volunteer Legal Serivces | Chicago 

CVLS is comprised of 2,100+ volunteer attorneys who donate free services to thousands of low-income Chicagoans annually. Postgraduate fellowships are wonderful opportunities for law firms to support CVLS while gaining something in return. Fellowships, which usually last between six months and two years are sponsored by a firm or legal organization, allow a new attorney to work at CVLS before starting as an associate. Firms that send fellows to CVLS receive back seasoned attorneys and make a lasting impact on Chicago by expanding legal resources in underserved communities. 

Disability Rights Advocates | New York, Chicago, or Berkeley 

Fellows at DRA gain unparalleled experience and are provided with immediate opportunity to participate in all aspects of public interest litigation. Past DRA fellows have gone on to successful careers, most in public interest law. Fellowship Attorneys are full-time positions and report to DRA’s Supervising Attorney. 

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services | Pittsburgh  

This fellowship opportunity allows Fair Shake Environmental Legal Service to work collaboratively with a candidate to identify unmet legal needs within environmental law that you are passionate about to build your dream job. The project must have a geographic focus within the Appalachian Basin. 

Georgia Legal Services Program | Georgia

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) seeks to host one Equal Justice Works Fellow for the Fall 2025 Fellowship term. A Language Rights Fellow will work with GLSP’s Race Equity Team and other GLSP attorneys to identify and challenge racial and national origin discrimination against persons who are English Language Learners, sometimes called persons who are Limited English Proficient. The Fellow’s project will cover counties outside of metro Atlanta but will be located in GLSP’s downtown Atlanta office. The Fellow will develop new advocacy strategies to help ensure that English Language Learners have meaningful access to courts and government services such as public benefits, health care, and housing. The Fellow will represent a limited number of clients on language rights issues. The Fellow will develop and provide GLSP advocates training and materials on language rights and racial and national origin protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Fellow will assist GLSP offices with outreach to communities with a significant number of English Language Learners by developing materials and relationships with other community partners serving these communities. The Fellow will build on GLSP’s record of successfully representing Georgians who have been denied meaningful access to courts and government services. The Fellow will be based in Atlanta but will engage with communities and clients outside of metro Atlanta. 

Greater Boston Legal Services | Boston  

GBLS is interested in collaborating on a project with prospective Fellows on issues impacting predominantly low-income communities. The people who seek our assistance most often are women and children who need protection from abuse; families and elderly who face eviction from their homes; the homeless who have been denied temporary or permanent shelter; and single parents who have been inappropriately refused welfare, food stamps, or medical benefits.  

Impact for Equity | Chicago  

Impact for Equity seeks to host a dynamic and dedicated advocate as a Legal Fellow. The successful candidate will possess a commitment to racial and social justice, creativity, and leadership ability and will be comfortable working independently and within a team on multiple projects of varying complexity. When applicable, our staff will work with the candidate to develop their proposals for submission, helping tailor the proposal to address an important racial or social justice issue aligned with Impact for Equity’s mission and focus areas. 

Legal Action Wisconsin | Wisconsin 

Legal Action of Wisconsin’s mission is to deliver exceptional civil legal services and structural change advocacy, free of cost, to those most in need. We have hosted a number of fellows who did vital projects for the firm.  

Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice | Boston  

We focus on three primary policy areas: access to justice, educational justice, and youth homelessness. The project proposal may include some combination of policy analysis, legal research, know-your-rights trainings, coalition building, community education and outreach, advocacy, and/or pro bono involvement. We encourage creative approaches to addressing systemic inequities through the law and welcome project ideas that build on our previous work and dig into the intersections between policy areas. We are particularly interested in projects that can be piloted in one or more of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities, such as Lowell, Lawrence, Malden, Springfield, or Worcester. 

Open City Advocates | Washington, D.C.  

Open City Advocates provides youth-centered legal defense and holistic advocacy for young people after sentencing in the DC juvenile justice system and works for systemic improvements to the juvenile justice system, both locally and nationally, to better the lives of marginalized children and youth. OCA will consider any projects related to our mission, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss and develop project ideas with the applicant. 

Public Counsel | Los Angeles

This year, Public Counsel will consider fellowship proposals limited to those which fall within the scope of the following projects:

• Children’s Rights Project – application info here
• Community Development Project – application info here
• Opportunity Under Law (impact litigation) – application info here

Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund | Remote  

TLDEF seeks applications for sponsorship of an organized, adaptive, and motivated Legal Fellow to join its growing Legal Program. The fellowship combines furthering TLDEF’s legal work and mission with learning the skills necessary for successful impact litigation and legal advocacy. The Legal Fellow should be: passionate about transgender legal advocacy; committed to centering the needs of TLDEF’s transgender clients and stakeholders; intellectually curious; collegial; and familiar with and respectful of gender diversity.   

To read more about the Design-Your-Own Fellowship at Equal Justice Works, click here.

An Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create your dream job. This Fellowship opportunity allows you to leverage your law degree in service of a community or cause of your choice.

85% of Equal Justice Works Fellows remain in public service positions and continue to pursue equal justice for underserved communities across the country following their Fellowships. There are more than 2,700 alumni across all Equal Justice Works Fellowship programs.

Interested in becoming a Fellow? Here’s what you need to know about crafting a competitive application by the deadline of September 10, 2024.

Who is eligible?

Our Design-Your-Own Fellowship is open to individuals who have graduated from an Equal Justice Works Member Law School before September 2025 with a J.D. or LLM. Applicants may not have previously held a full time (more than 30 hours/week), permanent, public interest lawyer position, though applicants coming from bridge or gap fellowships or clerkships are eligible. For more specifics about eligibility requirements, check out page five of our applicant guide.

What type of work can I do during my Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellowship?

You get to decide what type of work best suits your project! Projects may include direct representation, legal education, legal training, community organizing, transactional work, policy work, litigation, administrative representation, or a combination of these strategies. Many successful Fellowship project applications are multi-faceted in their approach while also avoiding utilizing every type of approach available. For more information about eligible projects, check out page five of our applicant guide.

Please visit the Fellow Archive to see what kinds of projects Fellows have done and are doing at nonprofit Host Organizations across the U.S./U.S. territories.

How do I find a Host Organization for a Fellowship?

Fellows work at Host Organizations for the two-year duration of their Design-Your-Own Fellowship. Applicants and Host Organization staff work closely to design the Fellowship, though the prospective Fellow is ultimately responsible for submitting the application. Host Organizations must be a nonprofit legal services organization—or an organization able to provide legal supervision—in the United States. More details on eligibility requirements may be found on page five of the applicant guide.

Applicants may search on popular job platforms or social media for organizations who are actively recruiting an Equal Justice Works Fellow. We also recommend reaching out via email or phone to organizations that are already doing the kind of work you are interested in. This could include organizations where you have interned/volunteered, become familiar with during your studies, or which are active in your community or neighborhood.

How do I submit a strong Design-Your-Own Fellowship application?

A project proposal should paint a picture of the particular problem you want to solve, in the specific community you wish to serve. Standout applications weave in data, client stories, and personal narratives to demonstrate the potential impact of the project, while underscoring the applicant’s strong connection to the issue area and target community. This can include lived experience; what you have seen or experienced as a pressing, under-addressed legal need in your community or neighborhood; academic studies; or volunteerism/internship experience.

Strong applications demonstrate a clear alignment between the applicant and the Host Organization’s mission and work, as well as a strong fit between the applicant and the legal issue the project addresses and/or the community (people, geographical area) that the project serves. As noted above, competitive applications use multiple approaches without employing every approach available. They also present a menu of creative, varied options for potential sponsor involvement also detailed in this resource.

Our “How to Apply and Tips to Succeed” webinar (available as a recording in English here and in Spanish here)  includes a deep dive into crafting a competitive application.

We also strongly recommend you register here to attend a “last minute tips” webinar on August 28.

What kind of applications are sponsors likely to support?

Sponsors are the law firms, corporations, foundations, or individuals that fund Fellowships and support Fellows during the two years of their Design-Your-Own Fellowship. While sponsors often specify which issue areas and geographic preferences they will fund, plenty of sponsors have no such preferences and are interested in supporting impactful projects. We want to see applications for projects that address the legal issues facing your community.

Here  you will find the current sponsor preference list, which is periodically updated. It shows where sponsors have expressed dedicated interest in the geographic and issue areas; it is neither exhaustive nor final.

What type of training do Equal Justice Works Design-Your-Own Fellows receive?

Equal Justice Works Fellows attend Leadership Development Training led by experts in the field. The training equips Fellows with necessary practical leadership and management skills to help them succeed in their Fellowships and beyond. It also provides Fellows with opportunities to learn more about working in specific fields of public interest law and to network with peer Fellows and Fellowship alumni. For more information on the Leadership Development Training, click here.

Throughout the two-year program, Equal Justice Works also provides Fellows with virtual and in-person networking and learning sessions; optional, periodic training opportunities; and tools, resources, and other assistance to support their work. 

Are you ready to apply?

The application is divided into three distinct expository sections: the project description, candidate background, and host organization background. Additionally, applicants will also need to provide a personal statement, résumé, professional reference, and two letters of recommendation. Details on the résumé, reference and letters are included in the application question prompts (easily visible here) and further explained in the FAQ. To get a sense of what a strong, competitive application looks like, check out this reference application.

Have more questions?

In addition to the resources linked above, please see the Frequently Asked Questions document.

 Technical Questions?

This application cycle, Equal Justice Works is using the Submittable platform for Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications.

Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support for additional information and with questions/issues. Please note that all technical or Submittable questions should be directed to Submittable Customer Support rather than Equal Justice Works. You can even submit such questions while completing your application!

Be sure to submit your application online here before the deadline on September 10, 2024 at 11:59PM Eastern.  For more information about the Design-Your-Own Fellowship, check out our website!

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the recipients of the 2024 Regional Public Interest Award, recognizing eight law students for their exemplary commitment to public interest law and pro bono work. 

“These inspiring law students have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their passion for increasing access to justice in their communities,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, vice president of law school engagement and advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “We are thrilled to congratulate each of these eight winners of our 2024 Regional Public Interest Award on their commitment to public service.” 

These eight law students were selected by the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee for providing outstanding service through law clinics, volunteer work, internships, extracurricular projects, and other initiatives. Each Regional Public Interest Award winner will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary reward. 

“Public service is more than a career,” said Regional Public Interest Award winner Isabel MacCay. “It is a belief that our world can be a better place and [a commitment] to the work necessary to make that better place a reality.” 

Equal Justice Works offers many opportunities for law students to serve the public interest law community on their campuses and nationwide. Visit here for more information. 

During the height of the pandemic, I began a practice of daily gratitude, spending time each day to recognize and acknowledge all that I am grateful for. As we approach the final days of 2023, and take a moment of pause before diving in to 2024, I want to share some moments from the past year that make me especially grateful.  

First, our impact.  

Since our founding, this organization has mobilized more than 2,500 Fellows, increased the capacity at hundreds of legal services organizations that host our Fellows, and created avenues for pro bono engagement by law firms and in-house legal teams. I’ve seen how impressive our platform is and the value this community brings to the public interest world. For me, this reinforces what a privilege it is to do this work and how important our role is in it. Simply put, our community is enormous! I’ve learned from my travels this past year that you don’t have to look too far in the public interest world to find one of our alums, host orgs or sponsors. So many in the legal community are connected to us, and I’m endlessly grateful for that connection and community in this challenging work.   

Second, the willingness and excitement for growth.  

I’m amazed and grateful for the impact of this organization and our community. I’m equally inspired by our collective interest in continued growth. As we look toward 2024 and beyond, I’m excited by the strategic vision that will guide our work moving forward. It is grounded in three pillars: 

1. Further infuse our work and programming with the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This past year, we included an anti-racist lawyering curriculum in our Leadership Development Training. In the next year, we’ll explore creating a racial justice program, similar to our Housing Justice and Disaster Resilience programs.  
2. Continue to diversify the field of public interest law professionals. We seek to expand our programming to include professionals that enhance our impact and contribute to the diversity of the legal profession.  
3. Advance the access-to-justice movement through data. We seek to increase awareness within the legal profession and among key decision makers about the broad societal benefits of addressing the access-to-justice crisis. 

Lastly, I’m grateful for you.   

This work has meaning and impact because of all the people we are so proud to collaborate with and support, including you! Take a look at some of the accomplishments from this year thanks to everyone who is a part of this community: 

• In March, we held the first ever Disaster Resilience Symposium in St. Petersburg, Florida to connect our Disaster Resilience Program Fellows with legal, academic, and community voices instrumental in disaster law 
• Our PSLF advocacy received the American Bar Association Grassroots Advocacy Award in March 
• We launched the Crime Victims Advocacy Program, which increases access to legal aid for survivors of crime, especially in underserved Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. 
• We expanded the Housing Justice Program to South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia 
• Our 2023 Career Fair hosted the largest turnout of attendees to date, with over 4,000 registrants. 
• We introduced Antiracist Training in our Leadership Development Training event for Fellows 
• We welcomed five new members to our Alumni Advisory Council, and eight new members to our National Advisory Committee 
• Editor’s addition: she didn’t include this originally in her list but we will: Forbes named Verna Williams to the 2023 50 Over 50 Impact list! 

And if that wasn’t enough, check out just a few of the highlights from our Fellows this year: 

• 2021 Fellow Carlos F. Ramos at SCOTUS 
• 2022 Fellow Taylor Rumble helped launch the Berkeley County’s first Housing Court at Goose Creek Magistrate’s Office at Charleston Legal Access 
• 2021 Fellow Caroline Cohn celebrated the decision to allow inmates to make phone calls for free in Massachusetts 
• 2022 Fellow Casey Smith wrote about how Florida’s confusing voter registration system has become an “administrative trainwreck” that impedes voting rights, especially for returning citizens. 
• 2022 Fellow Matthew Palmquist shared his work providing holistic representation for LGBTQIA+ clients 

There is a buzz in the Equal Justice Works office and a lot of excitement among our community about our next chapter, with so many people expressing interest in helping us realize this vision. That, in and of itself is pretty gratifying. 

Thank you for making 2023 so memorable, and cheers to a happy, healthy, and impactful 2024! 

Best,
Verna 

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Biden v. Nebraska & Department of Education v. Brown, Equal Justice Works (EJW) issued the following statement: 

“At Equal Justice Works, we are committed to ensuring that no law student or lawyer is deterred from pursuing public interest because of educational debt. Our communities and justice system are strengthened when those with the required education and passion are able to commit to careers in public service. For lawyers who wish to work in public interest law, managing undergraduate and graduate loans is a significant challenge. We also know that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are on average saddled with higher amounts of educational debt from law school than their white peers,” said Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works.  

Aoife Delargy Lowe, VP of Law School Engagement and Advocacy continued, “This decision by the U.S. Supreme Court hurts borrowers unduly burdened by student debt. Right now, the Legal Services Corporation reports that for people with low income, 92% of their civil legal matters go unmet. We need to deploy every tactic possible to ensure that more communities can benefit from legal services and representation. Alleviating student debt is critical to ensuring that all people have full and fair access to legal services and our justice system.”

“With this decision, borrowers may want to consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan as payments are set to resume in September. For those borrowers who are working full time in public service, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program that forgives remaining federal student debt balances following 10 years of full-time public service work and 120 monthly repayments. Borrowers can use the loan simulator at the Federal Student Aid site to figure out which repayment plan is best for them.” 

For more information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness, click here. 

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to rule against affirmative action, Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works (EJW) issued the following statement: 

“Throughout modern history, affirmative action has remained a crucial tool for students of color to access the quality education they deserve. Today, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that will adversely affect students of color and upend decades of work to make our country more equitable. When our institutions of higher education reflect the powerful diversity of this country, it opens the door for so many young minds to pursue their biggest dreams—including becoming a lawyer.

“With or without affirmative action, there is already an unacceptable lack of representation among law students and practicing attorneys. The percentage of lawyers of color has remained largely unchanged over the last decade, accounting for only 19% of the total profession.

“Now, as many university and graduate school admissions offices are forced to change their policies, we have a duty – as law schools, law firms, and legal organizations – to come together and help aspiring lawyers of color achieve their dreams. While we are disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision, Equal Justice Works remains grounded in its mission to support students of color who have a passion for public service and to build a more diverse talent pipeline that fulfills the promise of equal justice for all.”

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) awards recognize organizational and individual excellence in fostering more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster. Out of six National VOAD awards, the Innovative Program of the Year highlights one program that has exhibited extraordinary strides in their support of disaster relief efforts. National VOAD chose to honor the Disaster Resilience Program based on the exceptional innovation and ingenuity through the development, implementation, and expansion of this Equal Justice Works program.

“We are thrilled that the Disaster Resilience Program has received this recognition from the National VOAD for providing long‐term solutions to legal needs through Fellowships that continuously aid communities affected by disasters,” said Linda Anderson Stanley, associate director of the Disaster Resilience Program at Equal Justice Works.

“Disaster law is a highly complicated and nuanced field. Lawyers responding to disasters must have extensive background knowledge of the communities and environments they serve. The fast-paced environment of disaster response often challenges disaster lawyers to think outside the box. These factors highlight the importance of collaboration with community partners, disaster response organizations, and other civil legal aid actors when working in disaster response and preparedness.  Seeing the impact of each Fellow in the Disaster Resilience Program is inspiring. We hope to continue to grow the program in a sustainable and helpful way.”

The award was presented to Equal Justice Works in conjunction with the National VOAD annual conference. This year’s program centered around the “Gateway to Collaboration,” which emphasized the importance of collaboration in all areas of disaster response and recovery.

The Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program is committed to ensuring that all disaster survivors have an equitable recovery and are resilient for the future. For more information about the program, please visit here.

The Disaster Resilience Program is currently funded thanks to the American Red Cross, Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the California Wildfires Recovery, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Danaher Foundation.