Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Rural Summer Legal Corps.

Rural communities in the U.S. and its territories face a shortage of talented lawyers, with a large population of the country being forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance.

Each summer, Equal Justice Works partners with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to support 35 dedicated law students who want to serve rural communities, as part of the Rural Summer Legal Corps. Student Fellows spend eight to ten weeks at LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations developing valuable skills and gaining hands-on experience by:

• providing direct legal services such as client and witness interviews, legal research, and writing
• engaging in community outreach and education including fact sheet distribution, strategic partnership development, and presentations
• building capacity at their host organization through resource development and training sessions

Student Fellows tackle a number of results-driven community projects including responding to disaster-related legal issues; addressing affordable housing and evictions; and providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence.

To be eligible for the program all applicants must:

• Be current law students, who have completed at least their first year of law school by the start of their summer placement
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card)
• For several placements, possess a valid driver’s license and access to adequate transportation during summer placement

Students selected to participate in the program will be required to attend a three-day training in Washington, D.C.; complete 300 hours of service within an eight to ten week period; and
complete all required program reporting and documentation.

Participants will receive a $5,000 stipend for their service. Students have the option to apply for unlimited outside funding through their university or other sources.

Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé, a summary of professional qualifications and interest in the program, and their top three host organization choices.

The deadline for applications is February 10, 2020, 11:59 PM Eastern.

More Information
Rural Summer Legal Corps Application