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Public Interest Fellowships Fall 2010

HIV Law Project announces the opportunity to apply for sponsorship for fellowship opportunities in the fall of 2010.

HIV Law Project is seeking to sponsor third year law students and recent law graduates currently in clerkships or with clerkships beginning in the fall for public interest fellowships, including the Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Kirkland & Ellis, and Liman fellowships.

HIV Law Project was founded in 1989 in response to a growing need for innovative legal services and advocacy programs for underserved, low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly women and their families; people of color; undocumented and recent immigrants; members of the LGBT community; and the homeless. HIV Law Project was the first and, today, remains the only legal agency providing comprehensive services exclusively to low income people living with HIV/AIDS in New York City. HIV Law Project believes that all people deserve the same rights, including the right to live with dignity and respect, the right to be treated as equal members of society, and the right to have their basic human needs fulfilled. These fundamental rights are elusive for many people living with HIV/AIDS. Through innovative legal services and advocacy programs, HIV Law Project fights for the rights of the most underserved people living with HIV/AIDS.

Direct Legal Services

HIV Law Project provides free civil legal services to HIV-positive residents in Manhattan and the Bronx through an integrated, general practice service delivery model.  Legal services are provided in the following areas of law:

  • Housing and eviction prevention;
  • Immigration law;
  • Government benefits;
  • Family law;
  • Public and private health insurance issues;
  • Consumer and creditor/debtor law;
  • Employment law and benefit issues;
  • Wills, testaments and advanced planning ;
  • Tort/Negligence claims and ;
  • HIV-related confidentiality and discrimination issues

Public Policy Advocacy

HIV Law Project actively engages in public policy advocacy to challenge unfair laws and policies, and fosters remedial legislation. Aimed at shifting public perception and holding policymakers accountable to traditionally underrepresented HIV-affected populations, some of our work includes:

  • Increasing access to voluntary HIV testing and preserving written informed consent to HIV testing;
  • Challenging the illegal collection of private medical data by the New York State Department of Health Removing the United States HIV Entry Bar for immigrants and travelers with HIV;
  • Educate lawmakers about needs of women living with HIV/AIDS; and
  • Legal rights for same-sex domestic partners in public housing

Fellowship Description & Responsibilities

  • Work alongside attorneys in providing direct legal services in all areas of practice;
  • Engage in public policy advocacy on a variety of assignments;
  • Legal research in said substantive areas for motions and other legal memoranda;
  • Work directly with clients, conducting initial client interviews, participating in case acceptance and strategy decisions;
  • Providing advice and/or brief services under supervision of attorney; and
  • Accompany legal staff to court, assist in courtroom advocacy


To Apply

Fellows should have a commitment to social justice and issues affecting low-income People Living with HIV/AIDS. Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed project, to Cynthia B. Knox, Deputy Executive Director, at cbknox@hivlawproject.org by JULY 17, 2009.

HIV Law Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people living with HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to apply.