We are currently seeking talented individuals to join our team in multiple locations across
the United States. Open positions are available in New Jersey, Colorado, California,
New Orleans, and Missouri. Please find specific locations in the application on our website.
Job Summary
Partners for Justice (PFJ) is seeking Client Advocates for its Professional Fellowship
Program in multiple locations nationwide. Advocates will support public defender clients
throughout the legal process, helping to identify client priorities, connect clients with
community social services, and assess potential enmeshed penalties of legal system
contact. For more information about specific placement locations and timelines, please
visit www.partnersforjustice.org/become-an-advocate.
Who We Are
PFJ was founded to transform public defense at scale, diminishing the effect of race and
wealth on legal outcomes. This means empowering public defenders to assist clients
with the underlying drivers of arrest and achieve better legal and non-legal outcomes,
ensuring people can walk away from the criminal legal system with their rights, lives, and
future intact. As a national nonprofit organization, PFJ partners with public defenders in
20 states nationwide through our Professional Fellowship program, advisory services,
training, and communications.
About the Partners for Justice Professional Fellowship for Client Advocates
PFJ’s Professional Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to create an impact while
gaining hands-on experience within the criminal legal system. As a Client Advocate, you’ll
engage in a meaningful fellowship experience designed to make a concrete difference in
the lives of the people you work with. With training, mentorship, and ongoing support,
Advocates are integrated as full-time employees within public defender offices across the
country.
During your fellowship placement, you’ll become part of a carefully selected national
cohort of fellows with aligned passions and goals. Throughout your time, you’ll cultivate
negotiation, problem-solving, and storytelling skills that will equip you for opportunities
beyond your placement. The PFJ Professional Fellowship also offers access to professional
development support, funding, mentorship, and assistance in professional and academic
applications. Acknowledging the challenges of working inside the criminal legal system,
PFJ supports Advocates with mental health and wellness programming and an Advocate
Hardship Fund to address financial emergencies.
What You'll Do as a Client Advocate
As a Client Advocate, you'll serve as a full-time employee within a public defender office
for up to two years. Advocates play a pivotal role by providing client-led direct service to
people facing criminal charges. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities,
from direct engagement with clients to collaboration with community partners to
participating in legal proceedings.
Client Advocate responsibilities include:
priorities, identify potential enmeshed penalties of arrest, and assess barriers to
the client accessing desired services.
such as housing, employment, social and medical benefits, and treatment.
client’s criminal case and refer clients to legal partners for consultation and
representation.
to maintain knowledge about available services and facilitate access for clients.
local community and in the county more broadly.
others, conveying clients' stories and needs in a compelling way that gets results.
to be used in court proceedings.
communication on client cases.
information with clients and their families about the criminal legal process and
assist clients in overcoming barriers to meeting court requirements.
Who We’re Looking For
PFJ is committed to equity and inclusion in our Advocate selection process. We urge
people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system or who share lived
experiences with public defender clients to apply for PFJ placements.
As a potential Client Advocate, you will need:
draft professional written narratives suitable for submission in court proceedings.
structure your own work.
serving low-income people, or in social service delivery is preferred.
enthusiasm for learning how to engage in trauma-informed advocacy.
You should be an early-career professional or be willing to accept an entry-level position.
Please note that Advocates cannot offer legal advice or clinical support, and we are
unable to place candidates who are already licensed social workers or hold law degrees.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy & Fair Chance Hiring
PFJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for
employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to
race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran
status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic
protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of
employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff,
recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Furthermore, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for
employment in accordance with the fair chance ordinances of the jurisdictions we work
within, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and
the California Fair Chance Act.
We are currently seeking talented individuals to join our team in multiple locations across
the United States. Open positions are available in New Jersey, Colorado, California,
New Orleans, and Missouri. Please find specific locations in the application on our website.
Job Summary
Partners for Justice (PFJ) is seeking Client Advocates for its Professional Fellowship
Program in multiple locations nationwide. Advocates will support public defender clients
throughout the legal process, helping to identify client priorities, connect clients with
community social services, and assess potential enmeshed penalties of legal system
contact. For more information about specific placement locations and timelines, please
visit www.partnersforjustice.org/become-an-advocate.
Who We Are
PFJ was founded to transform public defense at scale, diminishing the effect of race and
wealth on legal outcomes. This means empowering public defenders to assist…
Annual compensation ranges from $40,000 to $55,000, depending on office placement. In
addition to the fellowship’s supplemental benefits, employment benefits are specific to
the placement office and may vary; however, all placements include medical coverage
and paid time off. During the interview process, we provide more information on the
compensation and benefits package for specific placements.
As part of the PFJ Professional Fellowship, you will also have access to the benefits
described above, such as career support, mental health programming, and ongoing
training and mentorship.
Annual compensation ranges from $40,000 to $55,000, depending on office placement. In
addition to the fellowship’s supplemental benefits, employment benefits are specific to
the placement office and may vary; however, all placements include medical coverage
and paid time off. During the interview process, we provide more information on the
compensation and benefits package for specific placements.
As part of the PFJ Professional Fellowship, you will also have access to the benefits
described above, such as career support, mental health programming, and ongoing
training and mentorship.
Professional-level Spanish language skills are highly valued. Spanish-speaking Advocates in some offices are eligible for a pay increase.
Professional-level Spanish language skills are highly valued. Spanish-speaking Advocates in some offices are eligible for a pay increase.
Are you ready to create meaningful impact, serve clients, and gain hands-on experience in
the criminal legal system? If so, please apply at www.partnersforjustice.org/apply!
The fellowship application consists of a resume and several short answer questions.
Short answer responses will be used to assess your writing ability in addition to the
substance of your responses. Please provide sufficiently lengthy responses (3-6
sentences) so that we may evaluate your writing skills. While an unofficial transcript is
optional, it is encouraged if applicable.
The fellowship selection process consists of three stages: a pre-recorded first-round
interview, a virtual final interview with a PFJ staff person, and a meeting for final
placement approval with public defender staff. Additional information on our selection
process and timeframe can be found on our website. For any questions, feel free to
contact us at apply@partnersforjustice.org.
Are you ready to create meaningful impact, serve clients, and gain hands-on experience in
the criminal legal system? If so, please apply at www.partnersforjustice.org/apply!
The…