Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia (NLSP) is pleased to announce a post-graduate Veterans’ Rights Fellowship for a graduating or recently graduated law student, in partnership with Equal Justice America. Since 1993, Equal Justice America has provided opportunities for law students and lawyers to work with legal aid programs across the country. Founded in 1964, NLSP serves the needs of the most vulnerable residents of DC. For over six decades, NLSP has been working to assert and preserve the legal rights of low-income communities and families in the city. NLSP creates and sustains a safe space for our low-income clients, partnering with them and community stakeholders to overcome poverty and secure justice.
WHAT WILL THIS FELLOWSHIP ENTAIL?
Equal Justice America is funding a two-year fellow to serve as an attorney in NLSP’s Veterans’ Legal Assistance Project (VLAP). VLAP was launched in 2015 in response to a fragmented and inadequate network of legal assistance for low-income veterans. Now part of NLSP’s Economic Security Unit, VLAP provides a gateway to legal and other services for this highly vulnerable population. This position will begin Fall 2026 and will conclude Fall 2028. The EJA Fellow chosen will work to promote VLAP’s mission to provide free civil legal assistance to low-income veterans in the DC region. Often homeless and disabled, these veterans lack the most basic essentials: safe and affordable housing, healthcare, subsistence income or a job, and protection from exploitation or violence. Many of their problems have legal dimensions and can be alleviated or resolved with the help of a lawyer.
The EJA Fellow will be required to provide annual reports to Equal Justice America and to share the fellowship experience at NLSP with the Equal Justice America community through monthly blog postings.
NLSP pays a competitive salary for fellows consistent with NLSP’s salary scale for staff attorneys. First year attorneys who have not yet been admitted to the state bar receive $68,770 per year. For first year attorneys who have been admitted to the state bar, salaries begin at $71,770 and are adjusted for years of relevant experience. Fellows receive all employment benefits available to NLSP staff attorneys including: employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-subsidized family health coverage; paid vacation, holidays, personal days and sick leave; 8-week parental leave for birth or adoption of a child; employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance; and 403(b) Thrift Plan (voluntary retirement savings program).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Applicants must have graduated with a J.D. degree in May 2025 or later;
- Applicants must be admitted or be eligible for admission to the D.C. bar prior to starting the fellowship in Fall 2026;
- Bilingual skills preferred;
- Experience providing legal services through a law school clinic and/or externship or internship experiences strongly preferred;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team; and a
- Demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must include a resume, three references, and a detailed cover letter describing how you would contribute to NLSP’s work and desired start/end dates. A successful cover letter will demonstrate why you are the right person for this Fellowship, an awareness of NLSP’s work, and attention to detail. Submit applications via email only to: Mark Trumbore at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please use “EJA-NLSP Fellowship” as the email subject line. Please cc Dan Ruben, Executive Director of Equal Justice America at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2026.
