Summary of Position: Current law school students are invited to apply for a 2023 Summer Law Clerk position with The Gault Center.

The Gault Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting justice for all children by ensuring excellence in youth defense. Through community building, training, and policy reform, we provide national leadership on youth defense issues with a focus on curbing the deprivation of young people’s rights in the court system.

Our reach extends to urban, suburban, rural, and tribal areas, where we elevate the voices of youth, families, and defenders to create positive case outcomes and meaningful opportunities for children. We also work with broad coalitions to ensure the reform of juvenile courts includes the protection of children’s rights — particularly the right to counsel.

Responsibilities: Law Clerks will assist on a wide range of youth defense projects. Responsibilities will include researching and writing on issues related to juvenile justice, with a particular emphasis on juvenile defense. Assignments could include: assisting with the drafting of publications regarding juvenile defense issues; evaluating current and proposed federal or state legislation; addressing the special needs of discrete client populations (e.g., girls; LGBTQ-GNC youth; and youth of color); helping to update policy information regarding youth defense and state summaries of youth defense research; and opportunities to observe juvenile court practice and/or facilities.

Qualifications: Applicants must be current law students with excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, and an ability to work independently. Applicants should have experience with, or demonstrated interest in youth defense, juvenile justice, criminal justice, civil rights, and/or youth rights.

Application Procedure: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and short (approx. 250 word) summary and analysis of the landmark youth rights case In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967), with the subject line “Law Clerk Application – [Last Name]” to recruit@njdc.info as a single .pdf file.