Joint Legal Fellow
The National Conference of Black Lawyers (“NCBL”) is partnering with North Carolina Black Alliance (“NCBA”) to create a fellowship to bolster our community work.
Description
NCBA, a 501(c)(3), works to enhance the well-being and advancement of Black communities through systemic policy change, economic empowerment, and youth and leadership development. As an intergovernmental organization uniting legislators, municipal officials, county commissioners, school board members and community activists, we collaborate with strategic partners to amplify collective impact and foster intentional, meaningful engagement with Black constituencies across North Carolina.
NCBL’s mission is to “serve as the legal arm of the movement for Black Liberation; protect human rights; achieve self-determination of Africa and African Communities in the Diaspora; and work in coalition to assist in ending the oppression of all peoples.” True to our mission, the North Carolina Chapter of NCBL uses a mix of legal and community organizing/base-building strategies to support grassroots movements across the State.
This fellowship will build stronger ties between our organizations and provide a fulfilling experience for a legal advocate. The fellow will serve as NCBA’s Black Election Administration Legal Expert. The fellow will also have the opportunity to work on NCBL projects concerning gentrification, workers' rights, reparations, combating ICE, equitable distribution of city budgets, and addressing various aspects of mass incarceration. Under the supervision of an attorney, the fellow may be asked to do the following:
Program Task
- Support the planning and implementation of the Black Legal Network Election Protection Project
- Support the Program Attorney in legal and policy research and develop one-pagers and research documents on behalf of NCBA
- Support the election protection hotline and voter intimidation hotline during election season
- Help to recruit attorneys and law students to our respective legal programs
- Attend coalition meetings, when appropriate and relevant
- Draft comment letters and support the program team with local resolutions and issue analysis
- Conduct legal research
- Draft legal memos
- Represent homeowners in property tax appeals
- File FOIA Requests
- Draft city council resolutions
- Attend community group meetings
- Participate in community group leadership strategy sessions
- Assist with community outreach and follow-up
- Assist with property tax waiver and know your rights workshops
Program Length
12 months
Required Education & Licensure
- Juris Doctorate Degree (J.D.)
- A demonstrated interest in voting rights, social justice, and working with community-based organizations
Requirements
MUST LIVE IN NC
Closing Date
May 31, 2026