By Lauren Forbes

It is that time of year again.  Fellowship application season is here.  In that vein, OneJustice seeks an Americorps Legal Fellow to work in San Francisco, CA.

OneJustice believes that justice is a right for all. Every day we work with lawyers and law students to empower California’s most vulnerable people–people who need legal help just to gain their most basic civil rights and to meet essential human needs. These are rights and needs most of us take for granted, like food, housing, health care, and education. If these are denied, many of us can fight for them ourselves, but low-income people often need legal help to obtain these basic life necessities. OneJustice makes sure the help is there when it’s needed. OneJustice is hiring an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow (“AmeriCorps Legal Fellow”) for our San Francisco office. Based on Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps guidelines, the term of service will begin in early August of 2011 for one year (with a possible renewal for one more year).

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The OneJustice AmeriCorps Legal Fellow will work on a local project in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento regions, matching law students with flexible and varied volunteer projects at legal aid agencies and court-based programs. By creating new and creative pro bono opportunities, the AmeriCorps Legal Fellow meets the needs of programs and addresses the ever-growing justice gap affecting low-income clients in need. Because OneJustice does not provide direct legal services, this position does not require the direct practice of law. The AmeriCorps Legal Fellow reports to OneJustice’s Pro Bono Program Attorney. Some travel is required, including attendance at national conferences and participation in our Justice Bus® trips. This position allows the AmeriCorps Legal Fellow to connect lawyers and law students who can help with Californians in need.

To view the full job listing, go to PSLawNet (login required).

By Lauren Forbes

Public Law Center seeks an Equal Justice Works Americorps Legal Fellow for its consumer law issues.

• Provide direct legal services to low income clients on a variety of consumer law matters, including housing foreclosure and bankruptcy
• Organize and coordinate community legal clinics where client intake interviews will be conducted
• Assist in staffing courthouse based bankruptcy clinic to assist unrepresented Chapter 7 debtors
• Oversee case referrals to pro bono attorneys and provide support to those volunteers as needed
• Work with Pro Bono Director to facilitate and expand law student involvement in pro bono
• Conduct community education presentations to clients and service providers
• Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events

Qualifications

• Admission to California Bar or awaiting Bar exam results
• Excellent computer and oral/written communication skills
• Interest in problems of low-income communities
• Commitment to working with volunteer lawyers and law students
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Relevant Law School course work in subjects relevant to consumer law and/or clinical work or pro bono work on consumer or bankruptcy cases a strong plus
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese a strong plus
• Must have own transportation, valid California Driver’s license, and good driving record
• Occasional evening and weekend work required

To view the full job listing, go to PSLawNet (login required).

By Lauren Forbes

Amnesty International–International Secretariat seeks a Policy Adviser for its London office.

As Policy Adviser you will work closely with country and thematic researchers, advocates and campaigners in the International Secretariat and sections and structures on the application and development of AI’s human rights policies with regard to research projects, advocacy initiatives, and campaigns. You will be expected to develop specific areas of expertise within the programme. You will also work with senior legal and policy advisers and assistant advisers to ensure effective, coherent and timely approvals and consultations.

JOB PURPOSE: To provide advice regarding AI’s policy position on a specified area of Human Rights, and to draft policy documents recommending a position for the organization on new or emerging human rights issues – supporting the Senior Policy Advisers in translating legal analysis into actions for the Movement

Duties:

• To support Senior Policy Advisers in the development of proposed policy positions, and the application of AI’s legal analysis to human rights situations, drafting policy proposals that will translate analysis into action that will develop and implement AI’s strategic goals and global campaigns, drawing on international law, AI precedent, and best practice of other agencies.
• Provide advice on the application of AI’s policy to country and thematic specialists and others at the IS and the wider Movement, in order to contribute to the consistent, accurate, timely and impartial documentation and presentation of Amnesty International’s concerns.
• Approve and write materials for external and internal publication related to existing and emerging human rights issues and other themes related to AI’s concerns (including external documents, briefing and discussion papers, AI policy guidelines) and assisting in the preparation/writing of country/thematic reports as required to contribute to ensure policy is consistently applied and published – referring to Senior Policy Advisers for more detailed expertise where appropriate.
• Contribute to the maintenance and availability of comprehensive reference materials relating to the development and application of AI’s policies in order to facilitate its consistent and innovative application.
• Represent AI for a related to areas of expertise (as requested) to raise public awareness of AI and its concerns, and position AI at the forefront of the human rights movement.
• Manage small project teams on specific areas, and participate in crisis response and other project teams as appropriate.
• Support the management of the Law and Policy Programme within agreed areas of responsibility and contribute to the overall smooth running of the programme.

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By Lauren Forbes

Each year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the OGC Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP).  Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry-level attorneys at the NRC.

As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consisting of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.

The program allows you to collaborate with seasoned attorneys and work independently on a variety of assignments, such as the following:

• participating in administrative litigation involving nuclear power plants
• reviewing environmental impact statements with technical staff
• drafting proposed regulations for new or revised safety standards
• assisting in the review and litigation of personnel actions, equal employment opportunity cases, and Government contract matters
• working with the Solicitor in researching and preparing briefs for submission to the Federal courts of appeals

In order to qualify for the Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be ONE of the following:
  • a third-year law student (3L) who will earn a J.D. degree no later than June of the academic year of application;
  • a graduate law student who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the academic year of application with no significant post-J.D. employment preceding graduate study; or
  • >a judicial law clerk with no other significant employment preceding graduate study who will be prepared for duty no later than the end of September of the year following application.
• Be in the upper third (33%) of your law school class.  (This criterion may be waived if you have unusual compensating qualifications, such as other academic degrees or pertinent work experience.)
• Have an interest in administrative law, legislative law, statutory interpretation, environmental law, energy law, public interest law, and/or trial advocacy.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Have a demonstrated interest in public service.

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By Lauren Forbes

D.C.’s Office of Disability Rights seeks a Special Projects Coordinator.  The incumbent conducts surveys, audits and reviews of all agencies throughout the District of Columbia to assure agency compliance with disability civil rights laws. Provides technical assistance to agencies regarding the interpretation and implementation of disability civil rights legislation. Conducts research on best practices, policy issues, and resources to guide the development and implementation of major projects. Conducts research and fact-finding investigations. Prepares comprehensive reports on the analyses, and recommend options based on these analyses. Establishes priorities and follows through on major projects to ensure that sufficient staff preparation is completed before matters are referred to the Director and implements control to assure that deadlines are met. Independently, plans and conducts in-depth studies.

Identifies problems concerning legal issues, and provides reliable solutions, after evaluating the impact of the alternatives. Develops enforcement strategies, model investigative, review plans, or significant investigative procedure; implements new laws or regulations; and/ or addresses areas where existing guidelines have been ineffective. Develops authoritative interpretation of regulations and program policies when accepted methods or provisions are questioned, challenged, or inadequate, and important issues must be resolved. Analyzes and audit operational problems identified through reports, quality reviews, assessments, and various complaints from groups or individuals to determine causes, and develops solutions. Participates in the development of procedures for evaluating work products and services rendered by the agency. Reviews internal control systems for compliance with established procedures and standards. Participates in the development of the goals and objectives to implement agency strategies.

Analyzes pertinent legislative proposals and enactments, and makes appropriate reporting recommendations to the Director. Develops and implements rules, policies, guidelines and procedures to ensure consistent and timely compliance reviews. Investigates complaints, plans, develops, and conducts program analyses of substantial scale and impact concerning legal aspects of the District’s Disability Civil Rights Compliance Program for actual or potential effectiveness in achieving planned goals and objectives.

To view the full job listing, go to PSLawNet (login required).

By Lauren Forbes

US ARMY AVIATION AND MISSILE COMMAND LEGAL OFFICE, GENERAL LAW DIVISION REDSTONE ARSENAL 35898

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

The AMCOM Legal Office provides comprehensive legal advice and support to assure the accomplishment of the Army’s aviation and missile systems’ acquisition mission and to the Redstone Arsenal Garrison.

This announcement requires completion of a questionnaire which will be sent to you after your application package is received. As the questionnaire is part of a complete application package, failure to complete it may result in non-consideration for this position.

Duties:

By: Steve Grumm

Happy Friday, dear readers!  To begin with shameless self-promotion: if you’re inclined to use the Twitters, please follow us at @PSLawNet.  We tweet all of our blog posts along with pieces of timely public interest career and funding news.  And we don’t tweet immodest photos of ourselves.

Also, I apologize for publishing the Bulletin a few minutes late this morning.  The Philadelphia Phillies kept me up until 12:30am last night, only to fall apart on defense, surrendering to the lowly Cubs of Chicago in extra innings.  And now I’ll have to hear about it from the Chicago Bar Foundation folks, which is even worse.

This week we present a Bulletin rich with funding news, although certainly not all of this news speaks to the riches of public interest funding: good news for Lone Star State legal services and indigent defense advocates; but in the Bay State, elected officials may still need some prodding; Have Justice Will Travel urgently needs money to keep moving; in Jacksonville, FL, the city council may boost legal services funding in the wake of state gov’t. stinginess; Legal Services of New Jersey sure could use a funding boost, too; the DOJ’s AtJ program has a new chief; and speaking of DOJ, some advice on becoming an AUSA.

• 6.9.11 – some terrific news out of Texas.  After a legislative roller coaster ride, the state house and senate are in agreement on funding both civil legal services and indigent defense.   From the Tex Parte blog: “Representatives approved an amendment on a general appropriations bill that would add $17.6 million over the biennium for indigent civil legal aid, as well as $7.6 million for indigent criminal defense.”  There had been some back-and-forth on the senate side, too, but that chamber ultimately came through with funding.  “[Now], the House and Senate versions include the same language about indigent legal aid funding. If the bill moves to conference committee, lawmakers would only focus on smoothing out differences.”

• 6.7.11 – in the Patriot Ledger of Quincy, Massachusetts, corporate counsel heavy-hitter and Greater Boston Legal Services board member Thomas Gunning pens an op-ed highlighting the importance of adequately funding civil legal services.   After noting some of GBLS’s most important, recent work in helping low-income clients, Gunning looks at the precarious state of funding:  “The need for services is way up in our tough economy and funding is way down.  While private lawyers give millions in support each year, a large portion of budgets come from state funding and interest earned on money held in short-term escrow accounts… For fiscal year 2010, the state cut the legal aid budget by $1.5 million from $11 million to $9.5 million.  At the same time, [IOLTA funding is down].  So with need at record levels, legal aid organizations have been forced to lay off lawyers and staff. They must turn away many more eligible clients than they can represent resulting in denied justice and avoidable social service costs…. After the painful 2010 cuts, the governor and Legislature ‘level funded’ legal aid in 2011 at the reduced amount. The governor’s fiscal year 2012 submitted budget also proposes level funding and the Legislature has shown signs of doing the same. We should certainly hope the final 2012 state budget level funds legal aid so that those in need have access to justice, and we can protect our social service spending from avoidable additional costs.”

• 6.7.11 – a piece in Vermont’s Bennington Banner looks at the work, and financial woes, of Have Justice Will Travel, a thinly staffed organization that provides legal services to domestic violence victims.  Times are very tough indeed on the finance front.  A reduction in a DOJ grant forced the closure of an office, and this summer most of HJWT’s staff are being asked to take a (hopefully) temporary layoff.  The organization is presently scrambling to cobble together more grant funding.

• 6.7.11 – the Daily Record reports that some of the funding cuts that Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will suffer as a result of the Florida governor’s civil legal services funding veto may be offset by Jacksonville City Council: “City Council member Kevin Hyde introduced bill 2010-766 to establish a $40 court fee on felonies, misdemeanors and criminal traffic infractions to provide assistance for foreclosure programs for the disadvantaged through JALA.  An amendment to the original ordinance requested the fee be increased to $50 because of recent budget cuts for JALA at the state level.”

• 6.7.11 – a piece on MyCentralJersey.com looks closely at the dire funding situation of Legal Services of New Jersey: “[LSNJ President Melville D. Miller, Jr.] said that during the past three years, Legal Services of New Jersey has lost a third of its staff and a third of its funding — going from $72 million to $46 million in operating revenue as its staff fell from 720 to 490 attorneys with another 75 advocate set to be lost this year.  Meanwhile, Miller said, poverty in New Jersey has spiked by 8.4 percent over the last year.”  The article also looks at the efforts of Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, III and other to restore some state funding, and to shore it up in both the shorter and longer term.

• 6.2.11 – there’s a new sheriff in town at the DOJ’s access to justice office.  Main Justice reports: “About six months after the departure of Laurence Tribe as Senior Counselor of the Justice Department Access to Justice Initiative, his successor is in place.  Mark Childress on Thursday was sworn in as the leader of the program that focuses on access to legal services for the poor.  He most recently was the acting General Counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services.”  Childress has a fairly varied resume, including a stint as a partner at Foley Hoag, some high-level staff work in the White House and on the Hill, and even some work with an aboriginal business development entity in Australia.

• June, 2011 – a former Assistant U.S. Attorney contributes a piece to this month’s edition of the ABA’s Young Lawyer, explaining how one may land one of these coveted, federal positions: “Assistant U.S. Attorneys…are experienced trial attorneys who come from a variety of backgrounds, including both the public and private sectors, as well as the military. Generally, the attorneys have five to seven years of litigation experience before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While many aspects of a particular applicant are considered, trial experience is the most significant requirement. A strong working knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure is important.”

Staff Attorney for Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center.  Law degree from accredited school of law, admission to Mississippi State Bar or eligible for admission. Experience in housing and/or civil rights. Salary commensurate with experience.  Log on to www.makeitfair.com for more info.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform and/or manage functions related to the provision of client services: intake; investigation; counseling; conciliation; referral to attorney or enforcement agency; follow-up after referral;
• Maintains full and accurate case files for legal proceedings and help maintain database for grant reporting;
• Develop and implement the Fair Housing Center of the Gulf Coast’s intake and testing goals and plans;
• Represent Fair Housing Center of the Gulf Coast at fair housing meetings;
• Track and support relevant legislation and laws;
• Analyze and evaluate complaints in reference to state and federal statutes and case law;
• Keep staff abreast of changes to fair housing laws;
• Provide training to staff to ensure maximum efficiency and accuracy of work; Cross-training opportunities within the department or agency are exercised to promote teamwork and provide necessary back-up for each position;
• Develop and maintain networking relationships within the community;
• Safeguard clients’ security and confidentiality;
• Work as a team and support the mission and goals of the agency and programs;
• Provide accurate and complete information for grant reporting and management;
• Coordinate substantive fair housing audits and studies;
• Recruit and mange the cooperating attorney panel; and
• Other duties as assigned.

To view the full job listing, go to PSLawNet (login required).

By Lauren Forbes

The United States Attorney’s Office prosecutes federal criminal offenses, litigates affirmative civil fraud and enforcement actions, and defends the U.S. Government’s interest in civil cases. The United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia, is located in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to the main office in downtown Atlanta, we maintain three intermittently staffed offices located in Rome, Newnan and Gainesville. More information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/.

Due to budget constraints, we are only accepting applications from lawyers who are already employed by U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

The Northern District of Georgia is currently seeking applicants for Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) vacancies in our Criminal Division. Selected AUSAs may be assigned to any of the three sections described below:

• Economic Crimes focuses on mortgage and bank fraud, securities and corporate crime, government and procurement fraud, health care fraud, tax offenses, computer-related and intellectual property crimes, and other complex cases.
• Major Crimes focuses on cases involving violent street gangs, sexual exploitation of children, human trafficking, civil rights violations, kidnaping, armed robbery, illegal alien status offenses, firearms offenses, national security cases, and other complex cases.
• Narcotics/OCDETF focuses on complex international and organizational drug cases and money laundering and financial offenses, and related immigration offenses, many of which involve Title III and other electronic surveillance.

To view the full job listing, go to PSLawNet (login required).

By: Steve Grumm

Some news affecting legal Wolverines:

My career planning office is now a one-stop shop.

A beefed-up and retooled Office of Career Planning debuted this week with the aim of helping Michigan Law grads become even more marketable to employers than they already are—which, based on the office’s existing strengths, is no easy task.

The most dramatic change in the new office—which will be known formally as the Office of Career Planning for the Public, Private, and Nonprofit Sectors—is the merging of the Office of Public Service and Office of Career Services. The new entity will be led by assistant dean Susan Guindi, a 1990 Michigan Law grad who began her career at the law school in 1995, as the first associate director in the Office of Public Service, before being selected to lead the Office of Career Services in 1998. Her own path—which includes two clerkships and private practice at a large D.C. firm—equips her well for carrying out one of the missions of the new office: allowing students to more seamlessly explore opportunities in a variety of practice areas.

But the key motive for reorganizing the office, Guindi said, was the actual course of most students’ and graduates’ professional lives.

“In studying the careers of our students and alumni, we’ve learned that most enjoy a combination of opportunities across public, private, and nonprofit sectors,” said Guindi. “It makes sense to structure the office to mirror that fact.”