Fall 2023 Law Clerk Position (WA)- Remote & Possible Hybrid Work Options
Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) is seeking 1-2 full-time or part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic Washington office for Fall 2023. This can be a part-time clerkship for a minimum of 16 hours per week or a full-time clerkship for 37.5 hours per week. Our Washington office is located in the Seattle, Washington area. Please note that we currently have a remote schedule.
We value diverse experiences and backgrounds. FVAP’s clientele is 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 well in the context of domestic violence and appellate litigation. FVAP is an equal opportunity employer. In furtherance of social justice principles and to best serve our clients, FVAP is committed to supporting a diverse staff and providing culturally responsive 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.
Family Violence Appellate Project is the only organization in California and Washington states dedicated to appealing cases pro bono on behalf of survivors of domestic and other forms of interpersonal violence. We are dedicated to shaping California and Washington law to meet the needs of survivors and their children to make choices that are best for them. We are also committed to supporting the statewide network of domestic violence and legal aid service providers. FVAP’s work includes:
o Representing clients’ pro bono in the Washington Courts of Appeal,
o Submitting amicus curiae briefs in cases of statewide importance,
o Monitoring unpublished cases daily and requesting publication of important domestic violence cases,
o Engaging in legislative and systems change advocacy efforts,
o Providing trainings, technical assistance, and written informational materials, and
o Facilitating information exchange among statewide stakeholders supporting survivors.
If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice organization and resource for domestic violence survivors and advocates across Washington, 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 includes but it not limited to reviewing the trial court record, analyzing 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 and improving FVAP’s written materials and trainings
· Contributing overall to FVAP’s work to achieve its organizational mission
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 interpersonal 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 are accepted on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply early in the process, but at this time we do not have a cutoff date for applications nor a deadline by which we will have a decision. If you must know by a certain date for credit registration or funding purposes, please clearly state that in your email and cover letter.
Please email a cover letter, resume and a copy of the classes you have taken and registered for or a transcript (unofficial is fine). Please write down in the subject line that you are applying to the Washington office and that you are applying to be a 2023 Fall Law Clerk.
All applicant emails: jobs@fvaplaw.org
Attn: Zyreena Choudhry, Staff Attorney (Washington)
Family Violence Appellate Project, 1239 120th Ave. NE, Ste. J, Bellevue, WA 98005
Your cover letter should speak to:
1) why you are interested specifically 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 experience.
Thank you for your interest in FVAP!
