Legal Aid Justice Center partners with outside fellowship funders to offer 2-year fellowship opportunities. These fellowships offer a unique opportunity for aspiring advocates to join a mission-driven organization committed to advancing justice and racial equity across Virginia. Through this fellowship, emerging legal professionals and changemakers gain hands-on experience working alongside dedicated attorneys, organizers, and community partners to address some of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time.
Fellows at the Legal Aid Justice Center engage directly in impactful work—ranging from individual representation, impact litigation and policy advocacy to community education and organizing—while receiving mentorship and professional development tailored to support long-term careers in public interest law. The program is designed to cultivate leadership, deepen subject-matter expertise, and empower fellows to contribute meaningfully to systemic change.
Rooted in a commitment to racial and economic justice, the Legal Aid Justice Center provides a collaborative and supportive environment where fellows can grow their skills while making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Whether working to expand access to healthcare, protect housing rights, reform the criminal legal system, or support immigrant communities, fellows play an integral role in advancing the organization’s mission.
LAJC has history of successfully hosting fellows from Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Equal Justice of America, and Justice Catalyst. If you are considering another fellowship funding program or have other questions, please feel free to reach out to our Fellowship Coordinator, Maisie Osteen, at maisie@justice4all.org. Find current fellowship opportunities on our careers page.
- What is the goal of the fellowship program?
LAJC’s fellowship program is designed to support emerging lawyers who are committed to partnering with communities to find real solutions to material harm. Through hands-on direct representation and impact litigation work, movement lawyering opportunities, mentorship, and collaborative projects, fellows gain practical skills while contributing to the organization’s mission and advancing meaningful legal and policy work.
- What makes a fellowship different from an internship?
Fellows are funded through third-party fellowships and are typically two-year commitments. Fellows are treated as LAJC staff members, whereas interns are temporary employees or volunteers.
- Is the fellowship full-time or part-time?
Fellowships are full-time employees.
- Is the fellowship paid or funded?
LAJC accepts fellowship applications from individuals who are applying to third party funding from fellowship organizations like Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, etc.
- What is the duration of the fellowship?
LAJC prefers two-year fellowships.
- Are fellows expected to relocate?
All LAJC employees are expected to follow a hybrid work schedule that has them in the office at least three days a week. This can be slightly modified based on individual circumstances and conversations with your direct supervisor.
- How many fellows are accepted per cycle?
The number of fellows selected each cycle varies depending on program capacity, project needs, and available funding.
- Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Rising third-year law students, third-year law students, or recent law graduates. At the time of hiring, candidates must have a degree from an accredited law school and a demonstrated plan of becoming a licensed Virginia lawyer. The individual must also secure funding from a preapproved fellowship funder.
- How do I apply for the fellowship?
Apply through UKG. You can find currently available fellowships on our careers page.
- What materials are required (e.g., statement of purpose, writing samples, recommendations)?
When applying to a fellowship position with LAJC, please provide a cover letter, resume, and a statement of interest that indicates the program and project you hope to pursue.
- Can I reach out to programs prior to applying?
Yes, in fact, it is encouraged! If you have not had a previous work experience with LAJC, either through summer internship or legal clinic, it is beneficial to reach out to the program director prior to submitting an application to see if your project makes sense for the program and/or determine whether the program has a project they are already excited about pursuing.
- Is there an interview or selection process?
Programs will take applications through the middle of July. At that point, the programs will conduct interviews, review materials, and make a final selection of their top candidate.
- What is the process after putting my application in?
After final candidates have been selected, each program will submit their candidate to an internal review team. That team will make final decisions on the number of fellowship applicants we can support and for which fellowship funder we will support each specific application.
- Can I defer my fellowship if selected?
There is not a formal deferral process. However, if something comes up you should talk to the program director and the fellowship coordinator to see what options are available.
- Can the fellowship lead to full-time opportunities?
While LAJC makes fellowship decisions based on the desired outcome of full-time employment for the fellow, there are no full-time hiring guarantees. No position is promised. The matriculation of a fellow into a full-time employee is based both on external factors – like funding and staffing needs – and internal factors – such as performance during the fellowship.
Fellowship Testimonials
Read full testimonials of current and previous LAJC fellows here.
