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sUMMER LAW CLERK OPENING (2026)

First Shift Justice Project is a D.C.-based legal services organization that empowers workers in low wage jobs to exercise their rights related to caregiving and parenting. To accomplish this mission, we educate workers in low-wage jobs about their pregnancy and caregiving-related rights. We also train the staff of organizations that provide medical care to pregnant workers, children with special needs, and adults with serious medical conditions. We counsel and represent workers in low-wage jobs regarding pregnancy and caregiver discrimination; accommodations for pregnancy and breastfeeding; and access to paid sick days, family medical leave, and D.C. paid leave benefits. First Shift also provides legal advice to low-income workers who are dealing with the impact of domestic violence on their employment. Finally, we engage in local policy advocacy to improve and strengthen laws that protect pregnant and caregiving workers.

We are happy to work with bright and motivated students who are passionate about our issues! Our law clerks conduct legal research; draft legal memoranda; draft legal communications and filing documents; meet with clients; participate in consultations; and help us reach out to organizations and their clients who might benefit from our services. Our ideal candidate has demonstrated interest in employment law and economic security for women and families; experience working directly with clients; the capacity to empathize with First Shift’s client population; a professional demeanor;  and strong writing skills. We will prioritize applicants for this position who have the ability to speak Spanish. 

First Shift’s summer  clerkship is 35 hours per week for 10 weeks and  will be compensated at $18/hour; we are also  open to considering part-time applicants. Work hours are flexible; currently, First Shift staff reports in-person to our D.C. office two days per week. To help fund the clerkship, First Shift requires its summer clerk to apply for any fellowship funding opportunities available to them, including with Equal Justice America.

Interested students should email a resume and cover letter addressed to its Legal Services Managing Attorney, Rosalind Herendeen, to rherendeen@firstshift.org.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Click here for the full posting.

JOIN OUR BOARD of Directors

First Shift Justice Project is a D.C.-based  nonprofit organization that empowers workers in low-wage jobs to exercise their rights related to caregiving and parenting. First Shift provides counseling, coaching, and representation to pregnant women, working parents, and caregivers on the issues of pregnancy and family responsibilities discrimination; pregnancy and breastfeeding accommodations; family and medical leave; and D.C. paid family leave benefits. Our application process is currently open! See the full position posting here. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with preference given to applications received by October 3, 2025. Apply here!

A First Shift Board Member is responsible for

• determining the mission and purpose of the organization

• evaluating the performance of the executive director

• strategic and organizational planning

• ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management

• fundraising and resource development

• raising awareness about and promoting the organization’s work

Each individual board member is expected to

• participate in quarterly board meetings, including attending in-person board commitments (one or two board meetings per year, Dance Like a Mother, and other major events)

• understand the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs

• review the organization’s financial statements

• serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization

• identify and secure the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission

• give a meaningful personal financial donation or comparable fundraising efforts

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• demonstrated commitment to First Shift’s mission

• leadership skills and an interest in taking the lead in board activities and committees

• ability to collaborate with other board members

• time to commit to board service

This is a volunteer opportunity. First Shift Board Members make a three-year commitment. Our application process is currently open! See the full position posting here. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with preference given to applications received by October 3, 2025. Apply here! If you are interested in learning more, please contact us!

volunteer

Thanks for the offer! Please let us know of your specific skills and availability by filling out the volunteer interest form.

equal opportunity

First Shift Justice Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, family responsibilities or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.

Become a Program partner

A critical aspect of First Shift’s approach to providing services is outreach to workers through organizations where they are already receiving services. If you serve workers who could benefit from our services, we would love to hear from you! Please get in touch with us through the program partner contact form.