LEGAL AID POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROCEDURES

NAME OF ORGANIZATION: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

WEBSITE: www.nwirp.org

OFFICE LOCATIONS: Moses Lake, Seattle, Tacoma, Granger (Yakima Valley)

CONTACT PERSON: Angélica Cházaro (angelica@nwirp.org)

WHEN DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT(S): NWIRP finalizes Fellowship Projects AFTER student candidates are selected, generally by mid-July.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT:
The NWIRP fellowship coordinator works with the legal director and the different offices to develop proposals targeting areas of current and emerging needs within NWIRP's mission.

ARE STUDENT PROPOSALS INVITED: Students selected as Fellowship candidates participate in developing the general proposal. In some circumstances NWIRP has accepted independent student proposal that correspond to NWIRP's mission.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE: NWIRP posts instructions for the application process on pslawnet.org. NWIRP strives to post instructions by the end of May, accepting applications on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected, generally after July 1. NWIRP's selection process includes a strong preference for students who have had the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment and skills through past internships with NWIRP. Candidates must have demonstrated a strong commitment to immigrant rights and social justice. Strong preference for bilingual candidates.

WHICH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS DOES THE ORGANIZATION APPLY FOR NATIONALLY AND/OR LOCALLY: Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Soros Open Society Institute, Seattle University Law School's Post-graduate fellowship, Berkeley Law Foundation, Liman Fellowship, and other national and local fellowship programs which fund work consistent with NWIRP's mission.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DOES THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE THE FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS: NWIRP's fellowship coordinator and legal director work closely with the candidate in developing the proposal and drafting the application. NWIRP and the candidate will divide the application sections, and proofread and revise each other's sections. NWIRP encourages the candidate to seek outside review of the proposal, and will assist the candidate in identifying such readers.
NWIRP will also work with the student in preparing for any interviews, including mock interviews and assistance with development of presentation materials when deemed necessary.