NALP/Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program

 

NALP is currently seeking a fellow to administer this exciting new program – details below.

Background

NALP is pleased to partner with Street Law in a new diversity pipeline initiative announced in July of 2008 (read the announcement in the NALP Bulletin). The program will pair NALP member law firms with local high schools, and will commit practicing lawyers and other legal professional to teaching law-related topics in high school classrooms.

Street Law, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that has been educating the public about law and democracy for more than 35 years. In the past six years, Street Law has begun to create programs to help address the lack of diversity in the legal profession.

In 2001, Street Law piloted the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline program with the Association of Corporate Counsel. This program pairs in-house legal department volunteers with nearby, diverse high schools that offer law-related courses. This model has proven successful and the program has expanded to more than 30 companies at sites across the US.

Street Law and NALP have agreed to expand this demonstrated program model to focus on law firm participation. During the pilot year of the program (2008-09 school year) the program will be piloted at five sites around the country. Street Law will find up to three partner high school classes for each pilot law firm, will train the volunteers in program implementation, teach strategies, and lesson use, and will then be available for technical assistance as the programs get underway.

Participating NALP Member Law Firms:

  • Kirkland & Ellis, LLP,  San Francisco office – Law School Partner: Stanford Law School *
  • Troutman Sanders LLP,  Atlanta office – Law School Partner: Emory University School of Law*
  • Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz,  New York office – Law School Partner: NYU School of Law*
  • Holland & Knight,  Washington, DC office – Law School Partner: The George Washington University Law School*
  • Hunton & Williams, Richmond office – Law School Partner: William & Mary Law School*

For more information about Street Law, visit their web site at www.streetlaw.org.

For more information about the partnership with NALP or how your law firm or law school can participate, read the Prospectus (PDF).

 

* Each law firm participating in the NALP/StreetLaw Diversity Pipeline Program will be matched with a law school. The law school partner will be involved in the program through legal career pathway lessons delivered by office of career services staff, a field trip to the law school, or participation in the one-day event at the law firm.

 

 

NALP/STREET LAW LEGAL DIVERSITY PIPELINE PROGRAM FELLOWSHIP

This two-year fellowship provides a wonderful opportunity for a public interest-minded law graduate who also has an interest in legal education and diversity. The NALP/Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, a joint initiative undertaken by both organizations in 2008, is designed to provide information about the law and the legal profession to high school students and encourage them to pursue legal careers. In particular, the program targets students from minority groups that are underrepresented in the practice of law. Law firms that participate in the program are matched with local high schools where volunteer lawyers teach substantive law classes in the high school setting as well as host programs for participating high school students at the law firm. The Fellow will administer this new program and have responsibility for providing training, curriculum development assistance, and other support to participating law firms.

NALP and Street Law have tailored the Legal Diversity Pipeline Program to match with research suggesting that several factors play a role in encouraging young people to follow career paths: education about that specific path, career role models, social support and persuasion, and a chance to experience career-related tasks. The Fellow will have an impact in all of these program dimensions, both in their implementation and in assessing effectiveness.

The Fellow will report directly to NALP’s director of Public Service Initiatives, and will be employed by NALP, but will work closely with both the Street Law organization and NALP members and staff.

With guidance from senior staff at both NALP and Street Law, Inc., the Fellow will take primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the pipeline program, including:

  • Developing original lesson plans and teaching materials, as well as supporting law firm personnel in developing their own original materials;
  • Supporting participating law firms in their implementation of their local programs;
  • Training participating lawyers and legal career professionals on an annual basis;
  • Coordinating all communications between NALP, Street Law, and participating law firms, law schools, and high schools;
  • Maintaining online resources for participating law firms, law schools and high schools;
  • Working with senior staff at NALP and Street Law to recruit additional participating law firms;
  • Providing routine customer service and support to participating law firms, law schools, and high schools;
  • Assisting with design and implementation of program evaluation;
  • Delivering presentations to lawyers, law school administrators, high school teachers, law students, and high school students, as required;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
The successful fellowship candidate will be a law school graduate with a demonstrated interest in legal education and diversity. S/he should have:

  • Highly developed organizational and writing skills;
  • Strong communication skills;
  • The ability to relate well to legal and other professionals at law firms and law schools, and the ability to interact with confidence with high school students and high school teachers;
  • Teaching experience (ideally at the elementary or secondary level);
  • Public speaking experience;
  • Familiarity with Street Law, Inc. and its programs (and ideally some experience as a volunteer with a Street Law program).

S/he should also have demonstrated abilities to:

  • Work independently and be self-directed;
  • Pay very close attention to detail;
  • Handle multiple tasks and deadlines;
  • Manage volunteers;
  • Carry out delegated assignments;
  • Maintain friendly working relationships with colleagues.

Some travel will be required.

NALP is a leading advocate for diversity in the legal profession and an organization committed to the diversity of its membership and staff. NALP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of diverse groups and persons of varied backgrounds.

Salary
The salary range for the fellowship position is $48-58,000 for the first year, depending on qualifications. Benefits include medical and dental coverage, paid holidays and vacation. This two-year fellowship will run from August 2009 through August 2011, with a possible option to renew. Only candidates who can commit to two full years should apply.

Application Instructions: Applications will NOT be accepted before 10/15/2008 and must be received no later than 12/17/08. Applicants should submit resume and cover letter by email only to James Leipold at JLeipold@NALP.org (please designate “ATTN: NALP/Street Law Fellow Search” in subject line). Feel free to contact Mr. Leipold with questions about the position: 202-835-1001. Candidates selected for further consideration will be asked to submit a writing sample and at least two professional references.

Contact Information:
James Leipold
202-835-1001
JLeipold@NALP.org
1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1110
Washington, DC 20036