Northwest Workers' Justice Project

Portland, Oregon

This is the 2024 fellowship description for this mentor organization. This position has been filled.

Northwest Workers’ Justice Project protects workplace dignity by supporting the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to improve wages and working conditions and to eliminate imbalances in power that lead to inequity. We offer high-quality, direct legal assistance to workers and their organizations; support organizing efforts; educate workers, their leaders and the public about workplace rights; advocate for better employment laws; and promote greater access to low-cost employment legal assistance. Our areas of legal focus include: minimum wage and wage payment problems; unsafe or unhealthy work conditions; employment discrimination; protection of workers' right to engage in protected concerted activity; and retaliation for exercising legal rights.

At NWJP, we see each fellow as a potential future advocate for workers. We strive to give them the tools and understanding of employment law to begin to be capable of practicing in this area when they graduate. It is simply fundamental to our work in increasing access to justice for workers that we do our part to train and mentor new generations of law students. By the same token, we also learn from the students with whom we work. We gain new insight and perspectives and get a fresh take on our mission. Students expand our resources, which expands our capacity to serve. Depending on the student's capacity and the complexity of the cases assigned, they might expect to work on 7-15 cases. Between 15 and 100 workers might receive benefits from the student's work.

Fellows with NWJP will be given the same types of assignments that lawyers are given, within relevant ethical boundaries. They interview clients, research claims, review records to calculate damages, prepare pleadings, draft briefs, prepare and respond to discovery, help prepare for and observe court hearings and trials, and discuss litigation strategy. Depending on the current projects at NWJP and the Fellow's interests, they may have exposure to public advocacy, outreach, and client education. Students with strong written and spoken Spanish language skills are encouraged to apply.

The Fellow will have opportunities to participate in monthly national worker advocate trainings and webinars, participate in case reviews where attorneys discuss legal strategy, attend meetings of local immigrant rights and other community groups, work with outside private and public interest attorneys, and engage in organized social events.

We are open to in person, remote or hybrid work arrangements.

The total ten-week stipend for this fellowship will be $7,000.

Please address cover letter to:

Corinna Spencer-Scheurich
Director
Northwest Workers' Justice Project
310 SW 4th Ave, Suite 320
Portland, OR 97204