Cook County Joins Detroit and Wisconsin As Placement Host For Second Class of Fellows

Cook County Joins Detroit and Wisconsin As Placement Host For Second Class of Fellows

Oakland, Calif. — Public Rights Project today announced a partnership with the office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, joining the offices of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul as placement hosts for its 2019 Fellowship class.

Public Rights Project is currently conducting a national search for full-time attorney fellows to place in local and state government law offices for two years. Fellows will work on a range of cutting-edge civil rights, economic justice, and environmental protection issues that directly impact vulnerable populations locally and nationwide.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the Public Rights Project as our office continues to explore ways to protect the rights of County residents through affirmative litigation,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

At the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Fellow will help enforce laws that protect residents from predatory lenders and financial service providers, wage theft, and financial crimes and fraud. The Fellow will also work to develop a program to utilize the civil arm of the State’s Attorney’s Office to further criminal justice reform and increase the public safety of residents of Cook County.

Public Rights Project invites attorneys who have an active bar membership in a U.S. state and a passion for public service to join the fight to enforce the rights of their most vulnerable communities. Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years of legal experience after law school, a background in litigation, and a demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations.

Once selected, Public Rights Project Fellows will be placed into a partner office and paid an annual stipend ($60,000- $80,000) for their work. In addition to the public service work they will complete at their offices, Fellows will participate in an in-depth orientation and receive professional development opportunities from our national network throughout their fellowship.

Local and state governments possess the ability to enforce laws that are on the books that promote civil rights, consumer protection and environmental justice. “We need to build up our institutions to guarantee equal protection as a reality, not just words on a piece of paper,” said Jill Habig, Founder and President of Public Rights Project.

Prospective applicants can apply until May 15, 2019.