Equal Justice Initiative

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The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) accepts applications from first- and second-year law students for summer legal clerkship positions.

EJI focuses on protecting the civil and human rights of the poor and people of color who suffer unfair treatment and discrimination in the legal system. EJI represents dozens of Alabama death row prisoners who have been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death; works to reform the death penalty by challenging the lack of counsel for death row prisoners; challenges life imprisonment without parole sentences for young children; advocates for medical parole on behalf of seriously ill prisoners who would pose no threat to society if released; and assists prisoners in non-capital cases who have been subjected to an abusive prosecution, who have received overly harsh or excessive sentences for nonviolent offenses, or who have been wrongfully convicted.

EJI confronts and challenges racial bias in jury selection by engaging in public advocacy efforts and through legal challenges in Alabama and the Deep South involving the discriminatory use of peremptory strikes and the underrepresentation of racial minorities on grand juries, trial juries, and as jury forepersons. EJI also works in poor rural communities across the Deep South to assist people who are dealing with crippling poverty and deprivation.

Law student interns work closely with EJI attorneys and engage in a variety of work experiences. Students conduct legal research and draft memoranda, pleadings, and briefs for litigation efforts in both state and federal court. The issues primarily involve substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, death penalty law, constitutional law, civil rights law, habeas corpus law, and appellate practice and procedure. Students also work directly with clients, conduct investigations on cases, and assist in the development of publications, reports, and educational resources for lawyers, policymakers, and the public.

The legal clerkship requires a ten-week commitment to work at EJI in Montgomery, Alabama. It is an unfunded internship.

To apply, please email a letter of interest and resume to Alicia D'Addario(adaddario@eji.org). Positions for Summer 2013 have been filled. For Summer 2014, students are encouraged to apply any time between October 1, 2013, and January 15, 2014. However, earlier applications are usually the most successful. Limited positions are available. Applications for other time periods, including the spring and fall semesters, will be considered case by case and are accepted on a rolling basis. People of color and other minorities underrepresented in the legal profession are especially encouraged to apply.

If you have questions about the summer legal clerkship or would like more information, please contact Alicia D'Addario at adaddario@eji.org or (334) 269-1803.