Skip to main content

Fellowships

EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOWSHIP

Job Description

Legal Services Vermont (LSV) seeks rising third-year law students who are interested in applying to serve as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. Fellowships begin in Fall 2026 and are expected to last two years. This position is subject to funding from Equal Justice Works. Interested applicants may find out more about the Equal Justice Works Fellowship program here: www.equaljusticeworks.org/opportunities/design-your-own-fellowship/.

LSV envisions a potential Equal Justice Works fellow taking on job duties as a Staff Attorney, but with a focus on a particular project proposal in line with LSV and Equal Justice Works missions. In particular, the Fellow would specialize in expanding access to justice for low-income Vermonters in new ways depending on the Fellow’s interests. Potential project areas include, but are not limited to, expanding services to victims of crime, expanding eviction defense to provide more full legal services, broadening volunteer opportunities for the private bar, disaster relief, and/or expanding consumer protection work.

Applicants should describe a proposed project they would like to work on in their cover letter, limited to three pages. The project proposal can be broad at this stage. Applicants should identify a specific problem they would like to address, the relevant area of law, population they’d like to serve, and potential legal work they would like to accomplish. Applicants should describe specific expertise they may have to address these issues. Last, applicants may identify specific community organizations, government agencies, or other entities they believe would be helpful to partner with.

Job Summary

Legal Services Vermont Staff Attorneys are responsible for providing legal advice and representation to qualified clients in a range of civil legal matters for cases within LSV priorities. All LSV Staff Attorneys also assist with staffing the LSV hotline, providing intake screening and quick advice to clients who call into the hotline or submit web inquiries. 
Depending on funding, a Staff Attorney may have specific responsibilities for a defined legal issue area within the parameters of a specific grant, and may be required to develop expertise in the legal field covered by the grant.

This position is based in Burlington, Vermont, but is eligible for a hybrid in-office / remote workweek.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Accept cases as assigned and maintain a caseload consistent with case coverage needs 
  • Manage cases in an efficient and timely manner, including initial client contact, response to client and other party communication, and effective movement toward case resolution
  • Organize and manage electronic and paper case files to ensure effective and efficient case handling 
  • Perform legal research and writing of pleadings, memoranda, discovery, motions, and other legal writing as needed 
  • Appear in court and administrative hearings as needed in support of cases 
  • Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of cases and manage case load consistent with case merits 
  • Provide appropriate levels of representation, including quick advice on our legal hotline and for case assignments, limited service and pro se support, and full representation, consistent with case needs and resource limitations
  • Communicate effectively, efficiently and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and the general public 
  • Provide consultation, case assistance, coverage and back-up for other LSV staff attorneys and paralegals 
  • Comply with the Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct and LSV Personnel Policies 
  • Work cooperatively with staff at Vermont Legal Aid and other partner agencies to coordinate case representation and advocacy work 
  • Attend staff meetings and other program meetings 
  • Attend trainings to meet state CLE requirements and develop advocacy skills 
  • Maintain knowledge and skills needed to provide effective representation 
  • Participate in community outreach and training events 

Qualifications and Competencies

  • J.D. from an accredited law school anticipated by May 2026
  • Strong commitment to work with low-income and disadvantaged clients
  • Strong knowledge of civil legal issues in areas impacting low-income clients
  • Strong legal writing and oral communication skills 
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to handle a high-volume case load 
  • Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues 
  • Ability to work independently 
  • Effective technology skills including word processing, use of case management software, and other supporting technologies 
  • Ability to travel to client meetings and hearings as needed 
  • Ability to work sufficient hours over the minimum to meet case representation needs 

Supervisor

Staff Attorneys are supervised by, and report to the Executive Director. Staff Attorneys receive secondary direction from the Deputy Director in matters related to hotline duties.

Salary and Benefits

Staff Attorney is a full-time position working 35 hours per week. The position is exempt and not subject to overtime pay. The expected annual compensation range is $69,352 - $81,812 depending on relevant experience. This position receives health, retirement, leave, and other benefits as outlined in the current LSV Personnel Manual. With approval from the Executive Director, a Staff Attorney position may be part-time, but no less than 50% time.

Application & Selection Process

Interested students should email a cover letter (no more than three, single-spaced pages, described above) that describes a particular project and population they’d like to serve, their resume, unofficial law school transcript, and at least 2 references to Bradley Showman at bshowman@legalservicesvt.org on or before Friday, August 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. with the subject line "EJW Fellowship Application."

We encourage applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, and welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goals of social justice and individual rights. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a discrimination-and-harassment-free workplace.

LSV will select among the applications to interview students shortly after the August 15 deadline. Once LSV selects a student, that student and LSV will work together to submit an application to Equal Justice Works on or before September 18.

If Equal Justice Works does not choose to fund the position, LSV will not be able to otherwise fund the position.