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Indiana Disability Rights Law Fellowship

Download Indiana Disability Rights Law Fellowship Brief, Application Information, and Applicant Information Sheet in Word
Download Indiana Disability Rights Law Fellowship Brief, Application Information, and Applicant Information Sheet in PDF

The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities and Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) seek applicants for a two-year legal fellowship to increase opportunities for new attorneys with disabilities to develop their experience and advance disability and civil rights law.

IDR serves as Indiana’s Protection and Advocacy System and is a leader in defending and advancing the rights of people with disabilities. The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities is the state’s Developmental Disabilities Council and a recognized leader in education and outreach concerning issues important to people with disabilities.

Graduating law students with disabilities who have a strong commitment to disability rights are encouraged to apply for the two-year legal fellowship. Students with disabilities who also represent other marginalized communities such as race, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, or religion, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The fellowship term is May 2021 through May 2023. Fellows will learn various aspects of disability and civil rights law and will contribute their own policy project, to be approved by Fellowship sponsors. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with that of non-fellowship attorneys of equivalent experience and qualifications.

Eligible candidates must identify as having a disability and graduate in December 2020 or May 2021 from an ABA accredited law school. The fellowship uses a broad and inclusive definition of disability that includes a diverse community of people with physical, sensory, intellectual, or psycho-social disabilities and chronic illness, among others. Eligible candidates must also seek admission to the Indiana bar and be eligible to work in the United States for the two-year fellowship term.

Fellows will gain invaluable experience in many legal areas including administrative and judicial proceedings, systemic impact litigation, the legislative process, and policy work. Potential practice areas include the prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; enforcement of civil rights; employment law; education law; guardianship defense and restoration of rights; and health care.

How to Apply:
Email the following documents to Emily Munson, Senior Attorney, at EMunson1@indianadisabilityrights.org by Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Select applicants will participate in an interview prior to selection.

Materials to Submit:
-Applicant Information Sheet (Applicant Information Sheet in Word; Applicant Information Sheet in PDF)
-Law school transcript (unofficial transcript acceptable)
-Two letters of recommendation (law school faculty, internship or pro bono work supervisors, or employers will be acceptable)
-Project proposal – Identify a significant issue for Indiana’s disability community and propose a project or research plan to address that issue using a maximum of two double-spaced pages and 12-point font.
-Legal writing sample (four-page maximum)
-Resume or CV
-Cover letter addressing the applicant’s interest in the fellowship and either their experience with disability civil rights or how their disability has affected their career choice. The applicant may also provide any other information they would like the panel to consider.

Applicants will not be required to disclose their specific disability; however, applying for this program will signify that the applicant considers themself a person with a disability.

No one piece of the application package will determine the selection of a fellow. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process should contact Emily Munson at EMunson1@indianadisabilityrights.org or 317-722-3473. Please note email contact is preferred.