DESCRIPTION

Our office handles a wide range of cases, and we serve clients from diverse backgrounds. Law clerks will assist in providing direct services to community members and will work on projects that highlight distinct civil rights issues that range from interacting with local and federal law enforcement to securing the rights of Muslims to practice their religion freely in the public sphere, schools, places of employment, prisons, and other institutions. 

Law clerks will work closely with CAIR staff on resolving cases of discrimination reported to the office. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough intakes by communicating with and counseling a diverse group of community members
• Research Discrimination, Constitutional, Employment, Immigration, and National Security law, etc.
• Legal writing including, but not limited to, drafting complaints, letters, and memos
• Communicate with attorneys, employers, and others
• Communicate with administrative agencies (i.e. EEOC, state agencies, local civil rights commissions, etc.)

• Participate in outreach efforts to community members during religious days and events through conducting Know Your Rights workshops and tabling
• Undertake term-long research and advocacy projects focusing on a host of issues such as prisoners’ rights, student bullying, law enforcement surveillance and immigration reform

• Keep detailed records of client communication in CAIR databases
• Compile data for civil rights department projects
• Other duties as assigned

All CAIR law clerks are required to assist in general duties such as outreach, answering phones, and other office tasks. CAIR law clerks may be asked to participate in events outside of normal business hours. 

Qualifications:

• Current law students enrolled in a J.D./L.L.M. program (or those who have completed one of these programs and are looking for a post-bar opportunity)
• Sensitivity in working with clients who have faced discrimination
• Sound legal research, analytical, and writing skills (one semester of legal research and writing preferred)
• Demonstrated time management and multitasking abilities
• A proactive disposition showing interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle concurrent assignments and meet deadlines
• Must be able to work well independently
• Support of CAIR’s mission

While CAIR-SFBA does not compensate law clerks, we encourage candidates to apply for funding through scholarships and/or fellowships. For more information, contact your law school career services office.

Clerkships typically last from 10-12 weeks depending on the student’s academic calendar. Hours for an academic term clerkship are 10-15 hours per week (Fall/Winter) and 30-35 hours for a summer clerkship.

We also welcome applications from college students and attorneys for volunteer positions, please apply here: http://bit.ly/volunteeratcair.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, complete the Law Clerkship Application Form, and email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to arafiqi@cair.com. Note “Law Clerk Application Materials” in the subject line. We will contact you once we have received all of your materials.

The application deadline for our Fall Clerkship is September 07, 2018