EBCLC is a non-profit organization with the dual mission of delivering much-needed free legal services to low-income people, and providing clinical education to law students (primarily from Berkeley Law School - Boalt Hall). EBCLC works to make the lives of community members more secure, productive, healthy, and hopeful by providing services in the areas of housing, welfare, health, homelessness, community reentry, immigration, and consumer law. To address the challenges that our clients and communities face, EBCLC practice groups use a multi-pronged problem-solving approach that includes: (1) direct legal services, (2) clinical instruction, (3) community education, and (4) policy advocacy.
EBCLC seeks applicants for fellowship projects in the following areas:
1. Immigration and Health Project (Health Practice)
The Immigration & Health Project provides legal services to low-income immigrants of the East Bay, specifically people living with HIV/AIDS and the families of children treated at Children’s Hospital Oakland. The Project staff represent and counsel clients in matters including political asylum, waivers, U visas, VAWA, adjustment of status, deportation defense, immigration effects of criminal convictions, naturalization, and public benefits eligibility. The Project staff work closely with attorneys in the Health Practice to provide wrap-around legal services that help lift clients out of poverty, and ultimately, improve health outcomes.
The Project suggests the following areas of interest, but is open to any proposals:
- Deportation Defense
- Special immigration needs of families with sick children
- Immigration issues facing the HIV-positive LGBTQ community
The Neighborhood Justice Clinic (NJC), founded in 2007, is a low-threshold, barrier-free legal center meant to be accessible to a wide range of people— including people with physical and mental disabilities— who might not be able to access legal services elsewhere. Through NJC’s General Legal Clinic, low-income clients in Alameda County can get limited scope assistance with a wide variety of legal issues, including those related to homelessness, consumer law, DMV problems, small claims cases, and tort defense. NJC also provides more extensive representation to homeless clients facing criminal charges related to their homeless status, and to low-income defendants in debt collection suits.
NJC will consider projects that address any of the following areas:
- Legal Services for People with Mental and Physical Disabilities
- Civil Rights of Homeless People
- Consumer Law/Debt Collection Defense
EBCLC is looking for candidates who meet the following qualifications:
- Graduation from law school in or before summer 2011.
- Admission to a state bar, or sitting for July 2011 state bar exam.
- Excellent legal research and writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive situations.
- Committed to advancing social justice.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of groups, including low-income clients, people of color, students, service providers, and law school faculty.
Additionally, the following qualifications are highly desirable:
- Spanish fluency or proficiency (required for Immigration & Health project candidates).
- Prior supervision and teaching skills.
For more information on how to apply, visit the CSO's JobNet.
