Equal Justice Works Fellow - AANHPI Community Program
Riverside, CA
Full Time
Entry Level
Job Title: Equal Justice Works Fellow - AANHPI Community Program
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Compensation: $73,000.00 to $77,000.00 Annually DOE + Benefits (Higher compensation ranges may be considered for experienced candidates)
Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Deadline to Apply: August 8, 2025 – applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected
Overview of Position
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) is seeking to host a 2026 law school graduate (or recent graduate or practicing attorney seeking a transition into public interest) for an Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellowship beginning in September 2026 and concluding in September 2028.
The fellowship will focus on developing, with attorney supervision, an innovative, cross-practice initiative to expand ICLS’s services for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities with limited means in Riverside and San Bernardino counties—two of California’s most diverse yet underserved regions.
Guided by One In Ten: The State of AANHPIs in the Inland Empire, published by AAPI Data and the Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside, other internal and external data sources, and community need, the project will address barriers AANHPI communities face in accessing legal support, especially in areas such as language access, immigration, housing instability, small business assistance, and discrimination in health care and education. We are seeking a candidate with a strong interest in developing a legal project that supports the AANHPI community by addressing one or more of these critical areas. ICLS will work closely with the candidate to refine the project scope to align with the needs of our organization, the community, and the Equal Justice Works (EJW) application process.
Under the supervision of a managing attorney, the Fellow will provide direct legal services, lead community education and outreach, and support policy advocacy efforts. Core legal areas may include eviction defense, public benefits, consumer protection, immigration, and small business and nonprofit support.
The Fellow will also help build culturally and linguistically responsive clinics and legal resources and coordinate a network of volunteers and community partners to extend ICLS’s reach across the Inland Empire.
This position is contingent on securing funding through an Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellowship or a similar public interest fellowship program. ICLS expects the successful candidate to submit an EJW Fellowship Application (deadline is September 18, 2025) with ICLS as the host organization, with an anticipated Fall 2026 Fellowship start date. ICLS will assist the candidate throughout the EJW application process. Please note that the EJW Fellowship Application requires, among other materials, a personal statement, resume, three references, and two letters of recommendation.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
While we anticipate working closely with the EJW Fellow, community partners, clients, ICLS advocates, and other stakeholders to further shape the scope of the project, ICLS anticipates the following duties and responsibilities:
Desired Education, Skills, and Experience
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Compensation: $73,000.00 to $77,000.00 Annually DOE + Benefits (Higher compensation ranges may be considered for experienced candidates)
Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Deadline to Apply: August 8, 2025 – applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected
Overview of Position
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) is seeking to host a 2026 law school graduate (or recent graduate or practicing attorney seeking a transition into public interest) for an Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellowship beginning in September 2026 and concluding in September 2028.
The fellowship will focus on developing, with attorney supervision, an innovative, cross-practice initiative to expand ICLS’s services for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities with limited means in Riverside and San Bernardino counties—two of California’s most diverse yet underserved regions.
Guided by One In Ten: The State of AANHPIs in the Inland Empire, published by AAPI Data and the Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside, other internal and external data sources, and community need, the project will address barriers AANHPI communities face in accessing legal support, especially in areas such as language access, immigration, housing instability, small business assistance, and discrimination in health care and education. We are seeking a candidate with a strong interest in developing a legal project that supports the AANHPI community by addressing one or more of these critical areas. ICLS will work closely with the candidate to refine the project scope to align with the needs of our organization, the community, and the Equal Justice Works (EJW) application process.
Under the supervision of a managing attorney, the Fellow will provide direct legal services, lead community education and outreach, and support policy advocacy efforts. Core legal areas may include eviction defense, public benefits, consumer protection, immigration, and small business and nonprofit support.
The Fellow will also help build culturally and linguistically responsive clinics and legal resources and coordinate a network of volunteers and community partners to extend ICLS’s reach across the Inland Empire.
This position is contingent on securing funding through an Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellowship or a similar public interest fellowship program. ICLS expects the successful candidate to submit an EJW Fellowship Application (deadline is September 18, 2025) with ICLS as the host organization, with an anticipated Fall 2026 Fellowship start date. ICLS will assist the candidate throughout the EJW application process. Please note that the EJW Fellowship Application requires, among other materials, a personal statement, resume, three references, and two letters of recommendation.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
While we anticipate working closely with the EJW Fellow, community partners, clients, ICLS advocates, and other stakeholders to further shape the scope of the project, ICLS anticipates the following duties and responsibilities:
- Developing new, and expanding upon existing, ICLS programs to benefit members of the AANHPI community of limited means within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in California.
- Delivering direct legal services, community legal education, and workshops tailored to the needs of AANHPI communities, with a focus on reducing barriers to access in areas such as immigration, housing, public benefits, small business support, health care access, and language justice.
- Advocating for inclusive public health, education, and economic recovery initiatives that prioritize the needs of AANHPI populations in the region.
- Building and supporting clinics and other special projects addressing legal and systemic issues impacting AANHPI individuals and families.
- Coordinating volunteers (e.g., volunteer attorneys, law students, and non-attorney volunteers), including training and engaging volunteers to effectively serve AANHPI clients, and supporting the development of a dedicated AANHPI-focused volunteer panel.
- Collecting and analyzing data to assess impact, evaluate service delivery, support outreach efforts, and identify additional opportunities for advocacy and program development.
- Building relationships with AANHPI-serving community organizations, including cultural associations, health care providers, advocacy coalitions, and student groups, to collaborate and strengthen service delivery.
- Organizing, attending, and supporting community outreach events, legal workshops, and informational webinars or presentations tailored to the AANHPI community.
- Other duties as needed on special projects related to this program.
Desired Education, Skills, and Experience
- JD anticipated by May 2026, recent law graduate, or experienced attorney seeking to make a career change to public interest work;
- Knowledge of substantive law in areas related to the LGBTQIA+ community, including gender marker and name corrections, access to health care and other benefits, and housing insecurity, among others, is a plus;
- Demonstrated commitment to legal services work;
- Demonstrated commitment to principles of race, equity, inclusion, and belonging;
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to serving individuals from diverse communities, including members of the AANHPI community, with fluency in at least one AANHPI language strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to envision, implement and evaluate new projects;
- Strong project management skills, including organization and ability to multi-task;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Ability to work with volunteers, including attorneys, law students, and paralegals;
- Ability to lead and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders;
- Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively present to a range of audiences;
- Ability to cultivate and develop pro bono relationships;
- Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Power Point proficiency; and
- Ability to pass the CA Bar Exam within one year of employment.
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Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve. Apply for this position
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