Spring 2022 Law Clerk Position- Possible Remote and In-Office work options
FVAP is seeking 1-2 part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic California team for Spring. This is a part-time clerkship for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Our California office is located in Oakland, California. Please note that due to COVID-19 we are currently working remotely. At this point we do not have a scheduled return. We do not know now what the circumstances will be in Spring 2022 so we are accepting applications for spring clerks who could work in the office if open, work remotely and eventually come into the office when it opens and those who could only work remotely. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds. FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations. The ideal candidate will bring skills and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these diverse populations adeptly in the context of domestic violence and appellate litigation.
Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California and Washington state dedicated to appealing cases on behalf of survivors of domestic violence. We are committed to social justice and are dedicated to shaping California law to prioritize the safety of survivors and children by representing clients in the California and Washington Courts of Appeal, submitting amicus curiae briefs in cases of statewide importance, monitoring unpublished cases daily and requesting publication of important domestic violence cases, and engaging in legislative and systems change advocacy efforts. We are also committed to supporting the statewide network of domestic violence and legal aid service providers by providing trainings, technical assistance, and written informational materials, and by facilitating information exchange among statewide stakeholders supporting survivors. If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for domestic violence survivors and advocates across California, this is the place for you! You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.
Essential Duties:
Duties may include the following (other duties may be assigned):
- Assisting with an active pipeline of case referrals, including completing an initial case analysis, which involves analyzing the trial court record and the legal issues in the case and making a preliminary recommendation on whether FVAP should accept the case for appeal
- Conducting legal research and writing
- Assisting FVAP’s work with pro bono co-counsel to file appellate and amicus curiae briefs
- Analyzing and presenting social science literature in the field of domestic violence
- Assist with updating FVAP’s written materials and trainings
- Contributing to FVAP’s work to achieve its organizational mission
- Assisting with some administrative tasks as needed.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Completion of at least one year of law school (including Civil Procedure) at an accredited university
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong understanding of issues specifically facing clients in crisis and low‐income clients
- Ability to adapt to and work in a fast-paced environment and complete time-sensitive assignments thoroughly and on time
- Legal research skills
- Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence, domestic violence law and/or family law strongly preferred, either through course work or work experience or other experience. (Work in other areas of gender-based violence may qualify)
Strongly Preferred but not Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Experience with trial or appellate court documents and procedure
- Experience working directly with clients in crisis
- Litigation or appellate experience
- Completion of a course in Evidence
- Experience with writing legal concepts in plain language for non-lawyers
Law clerks are unpaid but may be eligible for funding or course credit through their law school. We can provide support letters and other documents as needed if you are offered the clerkship.
To Apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed as received, until the position is filled. Students are encouraged to apply early in the process, but at this time we do not have a cutoff date for applications. To apply, please email or mail a cover letter, resume and transcript to:
Arati Vasan, Senior Managing Attorney
Family Violence Appellate Project, 449 15th St. Suite 805, Oakland, CA 94612
If sending email, please make clear in the subject line that you are applying to be a 2022 Spring Law Clerk. Your cover letter should speak to: 1) why you are interested in working at FVAP; 2) how your background or experiences, educational or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our work and perform the required duties and any preferred qualifications, and; 3) how your background or experiences, educational or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to diversity and cultural humility amongst our team of staff and interns. Feel free to think broadly about your response to these questions, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.
To promote social justice and best serve our clients, FVAP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally competent services. Individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities, as well as differently abled persons, survivors of domestic violence, candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups, bilingual and bicultural candidates, and those who are the first in their family to complete college or graduate school, are encouraged to apply.
Due to COVID-19, all staff are currently working remotely. FVAP’s California office is located in Oakland, California. We are convenient to multiple bus lines and are 1 block from the 19th Street BART station.
Thank you for your interest in FVAP!
