External Fellowships

Call for Proposals

DC Justice Lab seeks candidates to host as  public interest fellows. While this fellowship opportunity is aimed at new attorneys, we welcome submissions from non-attorneys, especially on law-adjacent topics. Applicants should plan to begin their fellowship in the fall of 2025. 

Please note that to apply for these fellowships, applicants must have secured or be able to secure outside funding, including through Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, or other competitive fellowship or grant programs. Upon accepting your application, DC Justice Lab staff will work with you to develop your project proposal according to your funding source’s timeline and other requirements.

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ABout us

Advancing racial equity and engagement with D.C.’s Black community is central to DC Justice Lab’s mission of transforming the District’s approach to public safety and making it a national leader in justice reform. Our efforts are focused on building power by bringing those who are most affected by policing, prosecution, and prisons into the policy development process. We strongly believe that community-informed policies are the best way to push our world toward justice.

 

Working together with justice-impacted communities and organizations, we’re helping D.C. adopt smarter safety solutions, including:

 

  • Eliminating the use of solitary confinement at the D.C. Jail
  • Eliminating mandatory minimum sentences from the D.C. Code
  • Securing reparations for Black native Washingtonians
  • Adopting earned compliance credits for those on supervision

What we offer

As a DC Justice Fellow, you will develop the skills to be successful movement lawyers as you see criminal policy reform projects through from start to finish and engage in training and mentorship with DC Justice Lab’s seasoned staff. 

You will spend one year working on criminal policy reform in the District of Columbia, a city where 90% of people incarcerated in local jails are Black. You will be assigned one existing DC Justice Lab project and will develop another project of your own choosing. In both cases, your projects will include research, policy development, advocacy and training. And, you will work directly with people who are impacted by the criminal legal system at every stage of their project.

Throughout your project, you will receive training and support from our staff.  In addition to on-the-job training, the Fellowship also includes professional mentorship and a rigorous professional development curriculum.

Over the course of 12 months, you will develop skills including:

 

  • Legal research
  • Policy drafting 
  • Campaign development and execution
  • Media relations
  • Building grassroots movements through public education
  • Effective, tailored, and well-designed communication 
  • Local government advocacy
  • Building and maintaining community partnerships
  • Professional responsibility

Compensation

Fellows will work 40 hours/week and enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment and a full compensation package: 

 

  • Salary: DC Justice Lab will supplement external funding on a case-by-case basis
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program: up to $435/month towards student loan payments, tax-free
  • Insurance: Health, dental, vision, life, short term disability 
  • Retirement Contribution: automatic 3% employer contribution
  • Leave: Fellows will enjoy unlimited/self-managed paid time off and sick time, in addition to days DCJL is closed:
    • All federal holidays and DC Emancipation Day (12)
    • Mondays in August (4-5)
    • Days before and after Thanksgiving (2)
    • Week between Christmas and New Years’ Eve (5)

What You Offer

You believe that the people most affected by issues are the ones who should guide and direct their change. You relate well to people from different walks of life and identities and think about building equity in every stage of your work. You are a strong writer and legal researcher. You have excellent issue-spotting skills, a demonstrated commitment to justice, and a clear understanding of the importance of systems change. You are a self-starter and work well in collaboration with others.

  • A law degree, or expected by the spring of 2025;
  • Able to provide a 12-month commitment to DC Justice Lab;
  • A strong and demonstrated commitment to justice and the spirit of DC Justice Lab’s mission and strategy.
  • Prior experience working with or ties to low-income communities and communities of color;
  • Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills;
  • A self-starter and the ability to well in collaboration with others.

You will spend the year working on criminal policy reform in the District of Columbia, a city where 90% of people incarcerated in local jails are Black. You will develop a project of your own choosing, in addition to working on DC Justice Lab’s existing projects. In both cases, your projects will include research, policy development, advocacy and training. And, you will work directly with people who are impacted by the criminal legal system at every stage of their project.

DC Justice Lab staff will be here to mentor and support you throughout your fellowship. We will seek to understand your strengths, goals and desired areas of growth. We will help you develop the technical and soft skills needed to bring your projects to completion, help you hone your career goals and trajectory, and provide you with professional networking opportunities in public interest law.

In addition,  the Fellowship includes a rigorous professional development curriculum, with workshops and trainings offered by both DC Justice Lab staff and external partners. 

You will be part of a cohort of 3-4 fellows who will support each other to achieve your goals both during this fellowship and beyond. You will also have the opportunity to be part of an active alumni network to mentor, support and learn from from fellows who come after you. 

The Application Process

Stage 1: Application

We want to understand your values, writing ability, and where you thrive. To that end, please complete the application at this link. The application requests the following:

 

  • Resume
  • Law or Graduate School Transcript (official or unofficial) (if applicable)
  • A short writing sample (please indicate on the cover page the extent to which this sample has been edited by others)
  • Letter of recommendation from a professional or educational reference that highlights your skills and passions, especially as it relates to the qualities described in the “What You Offer” section
  • 3 Short Answer Questions
  • Working Fellowship Proposal 
  • Optional Statement on Equity
Stage 2: Interview

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be screened by DCJL staff and reviewed with a standardized rubric to help minimize bias. 

Interviews will be conducted virtually with a panel of DC Justice Lab staff. The interview will likely be 30-45 minutes and will involve a question-and-answer portion and short exercise involving analysis of a statute. All applicants will have the opportunity to respond to the same set of questions and the questions (but not the exercise) will be provided 30 minutes before the interview to give you time to prepare. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of our team.

Stage 3: Offers

Following interviews, DC Justice Lab staff will meet to select four fellows. Decisions will be made based on a standardized rubric to help minimize bias. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity  

DC Justice Lab does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply.

FAQ

DC Justice Lab welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodation during the application process can be sent to apply@dcjusticelab.org. This inbox is monitored by a staff member who is not a part of the application review process.

Three or four people will be selected to form the 2024-2025 class of DC Justice Fellows.

While the DC Justice Fellowship is aimed at new attorneys, we welcome submissions from non-attorneys, especially on law-adjacent topics.

Unfortunately, you cannot edit the application once submitted. If you need to make changes, please email apply@dcjusticelab.org.