Barton Child Law and Policy Center Fellowship

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community.

BARTON CHILD LAW AND POLICY CENTER FELLOWSHIP

2024-2026 POSTGRADUATE CHILD LAW AND POLICY FELLOW

 

The Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory University School of Law ("Barton Center") is seeking applications for its 2024-2026 Postgraduate Child Law and Policy Fellowship.  The fellowship is offered as a two-year position, with the possibility of renewal for an additional one-year term.

 

Fellowship Description

Emory Law has deep faculty, student, and institutional engagement in child and family law. The Barton Child Law and Policy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a recent law school graduate to gain experience in policy development, legislative advocacy, and clinical teaching in the field of child and family law with a specialized focus on child welfare and youth justice.  The fellowship is designed for an early-career lawyer who wants to advance their professional skills in an educational setting. The individual selected for the position will receive mentorship in teaching, policy advocacy, and lawyering.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The fellow will work closely with Barton Center faculty and staff and will report directly to the Director of the Barton Center.  The fellow will assist with research, policy development, capacity-building, community partnerships, teaching and supervision of clinical students, and advocacy in furtherance of the Barton Center's mission.  The responsibilities of the Fellow will include, at a minimum:

• Supervising student fieldwork in clinic projects and participate in the planning and teaching of the Center’s Policy and Legislative Advocacy Clinics
• Occasional teaching in or assisting with related child and family law classes
• Researching and writing articles, policy papers, or other approved writing projects of publishable quality on topics relating to children involved with the juvenile court, child welfare, or youth justice systems
• Providing legal, legislative, and social science research support for Center projects, trainings, and technical assistance
• Supporting the Barton Center’s programmatic offerings including its competitive summer internship program
• Leading and participating in ongoing advocacy efforts involving the Georgia General Assembly, state agencies, and organizational partners
• Representing the Barton Center in advocacy coalitions, strategic partnerships, and community engagement events and activities
• Developing independent areas of interest, consistent with the mission of the Barton Center

 

Qualifications

Priority will be given to law school graduates within three years of law school graduation who have a demonstrated interest and career intention to practice in the field of child and family law and policy, strong research and writing skills, effective interpersonal skills, and experience in public policy and/or legislative advocacy.  Candidates must be able to exercise independent judgment about the priority issues and critical relationships of central concern to the Barton Center; responsibly manage multiple projects; communicate effectively orally and in writing; provide meaningful instruction to students; and complete assignments with minimal supervision. 

 

Compensation

This position is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Salary is competitive with other public interest fellowship opportunities. Emory University offers a generous benefits package.      

 

Selection Process 

Priority review of applications begins February 26, 2024, with review of applications continuing until the application deadline of Thursday, March 14, 2024.  The position will begin on August 1, 2024. Applicants are asked to submit (1) a letter of interest describing the candidate’s reasons for applying for the fellowship (not to exceed two pages), (2) a resume, (3) a sample of legal or scholarly written work, (4) a law school transcript, and (5) the names and contact information of three individuals prepared to provide professional references. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

 

To apply

All applications must be submitted through this portal.

 

Deadline 

Applications are due by Thursday, March 14, 2024.

 

For additional information, contact

Shree’ca Lott, Program Coordinator, at [email protected] .

 

About the Barton Center 

The Barton Center is a multi-disciplinary child law program whose mission is to promote and protect the legal rights and interests of children who are involved with the courts, child welfare, or youth justice systems.  The Center’s work is directed by Emory Law faculty who are leading experts in juvenile law, and is performed by law and other graduate students enrolled in the Center’s four legal clinics.  Under faculty supervision, students provide holistic client representation in trial and appellate courts and in administrative proceedings, and collaborate with state leaders and community stakeholders to improve child-serving systems through research-based, data-informed policies and well-crafted laws.  In these ways, the Barton Center is meeting the urgent unmet legal needs of individual child- and youth clients while concurrently working to improve the conditions of state child-serving systems, and preparing the next generation of child advocacy professionals.

 

More About Emory Law

Emory Law is a national and global leader in legal education that welcomes and supports a diverse law school community, produces path-breaking and influential scholarship, and offers exceptional teaching and practical learning opportunities that enable our alumni to become respected professionals and leaders in a rapidly changing world. Together, our community is working to secure a more fair and just society by advancing the rule of law.  Our innovative strategic plan seeks to fuel the ambitions and success of the students, staff and faculty who are drawn to join the Emory Law community.  We need people like you to join us so that our vision becomes reality.

Emory University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in University programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Emory University is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Inclusion, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Emory University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week advance notice is preferred.

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration!