CCLS Summer Fellowship Program 2025

WHO WE ARE

For over 50 years, CCLS has been representing and advocating for low-income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties—a region where intense poverty exists side by side with unparalleled wealth and abundance. Our mission is to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low-income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change. 

ADVANCE & EMPOWER

CCLS will select two (2) law students to join our fight and be a part of our mission to advance justice and empower people. During the 10-week program, Fellows will be assigned to one or more of the following legal teams: 

• Housing Law Team (Eviction defense)
• Consumer/Senior/Public Benefits Law Team
• Health Consumer Center 
• Family/Immigration Law Team 

The 2025 Summer Fellowship will be conducted in-person at the CCLS main office in Fresno, California. Fellows will be expected to work alongside CCLS staff Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced, legal aid firm. 

This is a paid Fellowship that will provide a minimum of $7,000 per Summer Fellow for the 10-week program. Funding for these two positions was generously provided by: 

• The State Bar of California (Legal Aid Leadership Fellowship Grant)

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

Central California Legal Services, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for legal aid organizations and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applications must include: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three personal or professional references
• Responses to the following Supplemental Questions: 

1. Why are people poor? (Limit 500 words)
2. How has your life and law school experience shaped your interest in poverty law? (Limit 500 words)
3. What has been your greatest accomplishment? (Limit 500 words)