About the UCLA Voting Rights Project

The UCLA Voting Rights Project (VRP) is the flagship project of the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI). The VRP’s mission is to ensure that there is an accessible and equitable system of voting for all Americans through impact litigation, research, and clinical education to expand access to the ballot box. The VRP has been involved in voting rights cases in Washington, New Mexico, and Texas; provided expert witness testimony in voting rights violation cases in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Missouri; and conducted analyses and filed amicus briefs in state and federal redistricting cases.

 

Fellowship Overview

The VRP seeks current law students of diverse backgrounds for its 2023 Summer Legal Fellowship, a remote 10-week fellowship with select in-person professional development opportunities and special events. To promote equity and diversity in public service legal professions, the VRP is pleased to offer student stipends up to $2,000, based on student class standing. In previous years, summer fellows assisted in: drafting briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court; preparing staff attorneys for court arguments; engaging in voting rights research and conducting analysis that was cited to uphold voting rights in federal courts; and co-authoring published law review articles.

 

Program Structure

• Remote 10-week fellowship runs from May 23, 2023 through July 24, 2023
• Fellows must be available to work a minimum of 35 hours per week
• Fellows will be working remotely and must provide their own technology (i.e., computer, internet access) to facilitate remote work
• Fellows may be invited to participate in select in-person opportunities and special events

 

Eligibility Criteria

The VRP seeks candidates who:

• Are currently enrolled in good standing within an accredited U.S. law school
• Have a strong interest in upholding voting rights and a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Have experience working on policy and legal issues impacting U.S. Latino communities and other communities of color and/or firsthand lived experience
• Show strong promise for a career in public service law

 

Benefits

Summer 2023 Legal Fellows will receive:

• A stipend of $2,000 for completion of the 10-week fellowship
• Unique, hands-on training in legal research and analysis; trial practice; voting rights policy research and academic writing; and community-based advocacy campaigns
• Access to the UCLA LPPI and VRP network of legal scholars, faculty, practicing attorneys, policy experts, and community partners
• Continued engagement with UCLA LPPI and VRP, including exclusive invitations to policy forums and convenings, as program alumni

 

How to Apply

Candidates must submit the following materials via our online application: 

• Cover letter explaining their interest in voting rights and a career in public service law
• Resume with two professional references
• Writing sample of no more than 10 pages, preferably a document with a non-objective legal argument

 

Please combine the above documents into one PDF file labeled “VRP-LastName_FirstInitial-FellowshipTerm.” For example: VRP-Waknin_S-Summer2023

 

Deadline to Apply

11:59 pm PT priority deadline of 12/2/2022 for 2Ls

11:59 pm PT extended deadline of 1/13/2023 for 1Ls 

 

Click here to complete your application today

 

If you have questions regarding the summer fellowship, please email: sonni@uclavrp.org.