Job Description

The Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois office invites rising third-year law students and recent graduates to apply for sponsorship for externally-funded legal fellowships. MJC is interested in sponsoring applicants for fellowships funded by Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, Open Society Foundations, the Skadden Foundation, law-school specific fellowships, or others. 

Legal fellows in MJC’s Illinois trial litigation program work closely with and are supervised by our experienced trial attorneys on cutting-edge litigation to advance civil rights. Legal fellows have responsibility for all aspects of litigation and are fully integrated into the work of the organization and the life of the office. Legal fellows receive supervision, support, and feedback consistent with the professional development needs of an entry-level attorney. Legal fellows also have significant opportunities to develop their professional networks and become integrated into broader civil rights communities.

Applicants with diverse backgrounds and life experiences are highly encouraged to apply. MJC understands that fellowship opportunities represent an important pathway for new attorneys to begin a legal career in social justice. MJC is committed to making such opportunities available to people who will—by their presence, talents, dedication, background, influence, and perspective—grow power in historically marginalized or underserved communities. 

ABOUT THE RODERICK & SOLANGE MACARTHUR JUSTICE CENTER

MJC is one of the nation’s premier civil rights litigation organizations. We champion criminal legal system reform in areas that include police misconduct, the rights of the accused, mass incarceration, the rights of detainees, wrongful convictions, and the death penalty. The Illinois Office litigates in federal and state court in our state and beyond, working on behalf of individuals and coalitions seeking justice and transformational change in our systems of policing, prosecution, and imprisonment.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

Fellows will be based in the Illinois office, located in Chicago. The office is currently working on a hybrid remote/in-person schedule. 

PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

The Illinois Office’s priority areas include challenges to police misconduct, mass imprisonment, racial and economic injustice, prison conditions, and law enforcement surveillance.  We welcome both project-based applicants and applicants who are available to work on cases across the office’s docket.

For applicants pursuing project-based fellowships, we are particularly interested in projects addressing:

• Systemic challenges to pretrial detention practices, including the use of cash bail and pervasive electronic/GPS monitoring. 
• Police accountability litigation, particularly outside Chicago, including challenges to police violence and Fourth Amendment violations.
• Challenges to intrusive and discriminatory police surveillance tactics including electronic surveillance technologies like ShotSpotter, automated license plate readers, and algorithmic policing methods.

Project ideas can be preliminary. We expect to refine or develop proposals for project-based fellowships in coordination with applicants who we sponsor.  

SELECTION CRITERIA

• J.D. degree or expected by spring 2023; anticipated or current Illinois bar admission.
• Demonstrated commitment to dismantling systems of oppression.
• Understanding of the systemic problems facing our clients.
• Experience in civil rights litigation or criminal legal system reform.
• Your unique background and perspective.
• Understanding of the lawyer’s role as advocate and change-maker.
• Understanding how your proposal will further MJC’s mission
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and within a supportive team environment.
• Willingness to work closely with MJC attorneys to obtain funding.

COMPENSATION

Fellows will be paid according to the following salary scale. If a fellow’s source of funding is less than the scale, MJC will provide a supplement.

0 of those years at MJC

1+ of those years at MJC

0 years post-law school legal experience

$60,000

X

1 year post-law school legal experience

$63,000

$64,000

2 years post-law school legal experience

$66,000

$67,000

3+ years post-law school legal experience

$69,000

$70,000

TO APPLY

For consideration you must submit the following by JUNE 30, 2022:

• A cover email or letter that briefly describes your interest including:
  1. any proposed project(s);
  2. whether there are other issues that you may be interested in pursuing;
  3. the fellowships you would be interested in applying for, including any law school fellowships for which you are eligible, with applicable deadlines; and
  4. any other relevant information you wish to share
• Resume
• Writing sample - please include a cover note explaining any editing
• Law school transcript (unofficial is fine)

We may be able to expedite our process for candidates who are facing deadlines from other organizations. Please reach out to Jonathan Manes at  312-503-0012 to request expedited consideration.

The criminal legal system disproportionally harms people of color, people from low-income communities, the formerly-incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.  We strongly encourage those who identify within these and other communities underrepresented in the legal profession to apply. All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients and co-workers who come from different backgrounds and experiences. People with experience in community activism/organizing are also strongly encouraged to apply.