Clinical Fellow

Job Summary:

The Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) invites applications for a Clinical Fellow to support and help lead the work of the Illinois Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Children, a CFJC initiative focused on ending life and other extreme sentences imposed on youth. Through litigation, policy reform, and community engagement, this role supports advocacy efforts on behalf of incarcerated individuals, families, and impacted communities.

The Clinical Fellow will be involved in direct representation of individuals serving or facing long sentences for offenses committed in youth or young adulthood. The fellow will also contribute to appellate and post-conviction advocacy, coordinate or draft amicus briefs in state and federal courts (including the U.S. Supreme Court), and provide litigation support to attorneys statewide. The role may also involve research and policy support aligned with the Coalition’s strategic goals.

Depending on interest and experience, the Fellow may assist in supervising and training law students working under CFJC faculty on relevant cases and projects.

This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal based on funding and mutual interest.

Specific Responsibilities:

Legal Advocacy & Project Support

• Represent clients in post-conviction, appellate, and/or trial-level litigation related to youth and young adult sentencing
• Draft or coordinate amicus briefs and related strategy in state and federal courts
• Provide litigation support and strategic consultation to practitioners and coalition members across Illinois
• Conduct legal and policy research and draft related memoranda, reports, or publications
• Liaise with external partners, opposing counsel, and formerly incarcerated individuals
• Collaborate closely with CFJC faculty, staff, and law students on clinic-related casework

Clinical Teaching Support (Optional Based on Interest)

• Assist CFJC faculty in the supervision and training of law students engaged in clinic casework
• Participate in student case review, feedback, and professional development

Program & Case Administration

• Maintain case files, litigation calendars, and client communications
• Coordinate and document internal and external project communications and deadlines

Other Duties

• Contribute to CFJC and Bluhm Legal Clinic events, reports, and planning as needed

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• J.D. degree and licensed to practice in Illinois
• At least 2–3 years of litigation experience (trial, appellate, or post-conviction preferred)

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization; analytical thinking; big-picture thinking; curiosity
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders, including legal and non-legal partners and incarcerated individuals
• Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice reform, youth advocacy, or related public interest law

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working directly with incarcerated individuals, youth, or justice-involved populations
• Prior experience in a clinical or academic legal setting
• Comfort with public speaking, mentoring, or teaching
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis)
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and responsibilities in a dynamic environment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and cultural humility
• Demonstrates initiative and follow-through
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View .