Equal Justice Works
Encyclopedia
Equal Justice Works is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that focuses on careers in public service
for lawyers. Equal Justice Works’ stated mission is “to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice.”
Research has shown that early public interest
experience for law students and new lawyers leads to a lifelong commitment to justice
, but that debt
keeps many law graduates from taking public interest jobs. Equal Justice Works has contributed to the research and advocacy of loan repayment assistance programs and the College Cost Reduction And Access Act of 2007.
One hundred ninety-five law schools (including 189 of the country’s 196 American Bar Association
-accredited law schools) are members of Equal Justice Works and participate in programs to develop public interest training and opportunities. The organization publishes The E-Guide to Public Service at America’s Law Schools, an online resource of public service opportunities, curricula and financial-aid programs. Equal Justice Works also hosts an annual Conference and Career Fair for employers, job seekers and law school professionals.
Through "Summer Corps"—a partnership between Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps—350 law students serve at nonprofit legal aid organizations every summer.
Also with the support of AmeriCorps, "Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Fellows" raise awareness of public interest issues at law schools and recruit law students to do pro bono
work to advance public service as a career-long commitment. In 2009, the federal government doubled its support of Equal Justice Works' AmeriCorps programs to assist in foreclosure prevention and economic recovery.
"Equal Justice Works Fellowships" is the largest postgraduate legal fellowship program in the United States. The projects proposed by the Fellows are varied and tend to reflect unresolved social and legal issues including immigration
, health care
and civil liberties
.
made up of law firm partners, corporate counsel, legal educators and executives from legal services agencies. The 35-member staff is led by Executive Director David Stern
, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Susan Gurley, and a management team of four directors at its Washington headquarters.
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
for lawyers. Equal Justice Works’ stated mission is “to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice.”
Programs
Founded in 1986 as the National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL), the organization works with law schools, law firms, corporate legal departments and nonprofit organizations to provide the training and skills that enable attorneys to provide legal assistance to the poor and other vulnerable populations. The law school affiliates of NAPIL were known individually as APIL.Research has shown that early public interest
Public interest
The public interest refers to the "common well-being" or "general welfare." The public interest is central to policy debates, politics, democracy and the nature of government itself...
experience for law students and new lawyers leads to a lifelong commitment to justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
, but that debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
keeps many law graduates from taking public interest jobs. Equal Justice Works has contributed to the research and advocacy of loan repayment assistance programs and the College Cost Reduction And Access Act of 2007.
One hundred ninety-five law schools (including 189 of the country’s 196 American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
-accredited law schools) are members of Equal Justice Works and participate in programs to develop public interest training and opportunities. The organization publishes The E-Guide to Public Service at America’s Law Schools, an online resource of public service opportunities, curricula and financial-aid programs. Equal Justice Works also hosts an annual Conference and Career Fair for employers, job seekers and law school professionals.
Through "Summer Corps"—a partnership between Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps—350 law students serve at nonprofit legal aid organizations every summer.
Also with the support of AmeriCorps, "Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Fellows" raise awareness of public interest issues at law schools and recruit law students to do pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
work to advance public service as a career-long commitment. In 2009, the federal government doubled its support of Equal Justice Works' AmeriCorps programs to assist in foreclosure prevention and economic recovery.
"Equal Justice Works Fellowships" is the largest postgraduate legal fellowship program in the United States. The projects proposed by the Fellows are varied and tend to reflect unresolved social and legal issues including immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
.
Leadership
Equal Justice Works is governed by a board of directorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
made up of law firm partners, corporate counsel, legal educators and executives from legal services agencies. The 35-member staff is led by Executive Director David Stern
David Stern (philanthropist/activist)
David Stern is Chief Executive Officer for Equal Justice Works, a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. He is also former president of the Stern Family Fund, a private foundation that supported policy-oriented government and corporate accountability projects.Mr. Stern graduated...
, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Susan Gurley, and a management team of four directors at its Washington headquarters.