Opportunities

Crime Victims Advocacy Program

Victimization can create a myriad of civil legal problems and intensify pre-existing challenges faced by victims and their families. Without legal representation, these complex legal issues can be overwhelming for victims of crime to navigate alone.

The Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program (CVAP) is mobilizing lawyers (Attorney Fellows) and law students (Student Fellows) to increase access to legal aid for survivors of crime, especially in underserved black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities.

Program Overview & Benefits

  • Attorney Fellows earn a salary over the course of their two-year Fellowship term
  • Student Fellows receive a $7,000 stipend upon completion of 300 hours of service (eight to ten-week term)
  • During the summer, Student Fellows help support the work of the Attorney Fellow(s) at their host organization
  • Receive trainings, technical assistance, and mentorship throughout the program

Quick Facts


  • ~17M Americans were victims of crime in 2020
  • 4.5M+ violent crimes reported in America in 2020
  • It is essential for victims of crime to have access to legal aid to enforce their rights. Verna Williams
    CEO, Equal Justice Works
  • 12M+ property crimes reported in America in 2020

Still have questions? Email us at
[email protected]

How it works...

1 Determine your program eligibility

THE CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCACY PROGRAM INCLUDES BOTH ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS

  • Attorney Fellows are public interest lawyers working on-the-ground providing free civil legal aid to low-income survivors of crime. These Fellows must be licensed to practice law or have taken a bar exam (to be determined by the host organization)
  • Student Fellows are current law students working alongside them to provide support and build legal skills outside the classroom

2 View project descriptions

Project descriptions and application requirements vary by opportunity. To apply, select a host organization, review the requirements, and tailor your application accordingly. Applications for remaining Attorney Fellow positions will be processed through our Attorney Fellow submission portal on a rolling basis. Applications to become a Student Fellow are now closed.

Organizations seeking applicants will have a linked project description, accessible by clicking “view open positions,” which includes full details about the role as well as specific application requirements.

View Project Descriptions

Read More About Fellows in the Crime Victims Advocacy Program

Dispatches from Fellows in the Crime Victims Advocacy Program

Equal Justice Works spoke to three Fellows in the inaugural cohort of the Crime Victims Advocacy Program (CVAP). 2023 Fellows Holly T. Bird, Eugenia Kim, and Claudia V. Torres Patino shared their work advocating for survivors of crime and what they are learning and looking forward to in their projects. Read their dispatches below.

Read More

This program is supported by an award under 15POVC-22-GK-01116-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Attorney Fellow FAQs

When is the application due?
When does the program start and end?
When will the applications be evaluated?
How will I know Equal Justice Works received my application?
Do I need to have a bar license to apply?
Can I apply to more than one host organization?
Where can I serve?

Get Help Managing Your Student Debt

For many law school graduates, student debt is the single largest barrier to pursuing a career in public interest law. View our Student Debt Resources to learn more about managing your debt load.

Explore Resources