About Washington Lawyers'​ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) works to create legal, economic, and social equity through litigation, client and public education, and public policy advocacy with a primary focus on racial justice. For the last 55 years, the Committee has been on the cutting edge of civil rights advocacy in the region bringing precedent setting litigation to address discrimination. Our work focuses on injustices in housing, employment, the criminal legal system, education, public accommodations, and the civil rights of immigrants. We partner with individuals and communities facing discrimination and with the legal community to achieve justice. The Committee’s staff is unionized with the National Organization of Legal Service Workers Local #2320, UAW. For more information on the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, please go to www.washlaw.org.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are central to our work to advance equality and justice for all.  We are committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability.  We embrace a collective responsibility to create a culture that respects differences, treats staff equitably, and empowers staff to do the best work possible.  We are committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally and externally.  Whether in court or at the office, we believe that “We the People” means all of us.

WLC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email Washington Lawyers’ Committee <justice@washlaw.org>. If selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.

About the Fall 2027 Civil Rights Fellowship

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs welcomes fellowship proposals from law students and law clerks committed to racial justice and interested in civil rights impact litigation and advocacy. The Committee seeks proposals for fellowships in any of our core practice areas, several of which often overlap. These include disability rights, education, fair housing, police accountability, prisoners’ rights, and workers’ rights. The fellowship would begin in the Fall of 2027. Legal fellows must secure their own funding through Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, or other sources.

We are particularly interested in fellowship projects that center racial justice, have a systemic or broad-based dimension, and incorporate litigation into the theory of change. As noted, we welcome proposals addressing any of our issue areas; below are the kinds of potential projects that the Committee would be interested in supporting:

• Litigating against the Federal Bureau of Prisons on behalf of people who are abused by federal officials while incarcerated
• Challenging the criminal legal system’s treatment of people with mental health disabilities
• Challenging the school to prison pipeline and the criminalization of youth of color and youth with disabilities
• Reducing accessibility barriers to public services, including housing, and public accommodations for people with disabilities

Fellows are provided with robust opportunities to lead their projects, as well as vital supervision and collaboration from Committee litigators. We anticipate working collaboratively with the applicant to develop their proposal.

Responsibilities

Fellows help with all aspects of litigation, including investigation and case development, client communication, discovery, motions practice, and trial as part of a team comprised of Committee staff and private bar co-counsel. The Fellow will receive supervision and collaboration from WLC litigators who have experience in individual representation, policy advocacy, and impact and class action litigation.

Compensation

Fellows seeking sponsorship should come with, or be prepared to apply for, their own funds. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with the salaries and benefits provided to permanent staff attorneys employed by WLC, which includes generous leave and employer-funded benefits.  The Committee’s pay scale is available with this posting.

WLC offers a broad range of benefits, including:

• Generous paid time-off
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave)
• 401k plan
• Professional development
• Telework option – two days per week (Mondays, Fridays)

How To Apply

A complete application will consist of the below listed documents:

• Current resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the Committee and describing the project that you wish to develop
• List of three references
• Legal writing sample
• Unofficial transcript

Please combine in one document: cover letter, references (3), and legal writing sample.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, June 19, 2026.