THE CARTER CENTER / W&L TRANSNATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE
LIBERIA LAW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Seeks Applicants for 2010 Fellowships

The Carter Center (TCC) and the Transnational Law Institute of Washington and Lee University School of Law (“W&L”) are pleased to announce the opportunity for recent law school graduates to work as law fellows for a variety of government and non-governmental institutions in Liberia. Fellows will be placed according to their backgrounds and interests at various government institutions, including: the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Public Works, the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute, The Land Reform Commission, The Law Reform Commission, Independent Human Rights Commission, and The Carter Center. These unfunded fellowships offer a unique opportunity to engage in legal reform and legal development at a critical time in Liberian history, as well as a challenging and interesting personal experience.
These positions are unpaid, and there is currently no funding available from either W&L or The Carter Center. The Liberia Law Fellowship Program facilitates the placement of qualified applicants who are sponsored by foundations, law schools, law firms, or other funding source. This is also an excellent opportunity for deferred law firm associates or public interest sabbaticals.

The Transnational Law Institute at Washington & Lee was established in 2006, to globalize the study of law at W&L. The Transnational Law Institute supports and coordinates teaching innovations, global externships and fellowships, a speaker series, and visiting faculty to help prepare students for the increasing globalization of legal practice. The Transnational Law Institute has functioned in Liberia since the spring of 2008, conducting The Liberia Access to Justice Practicum; a joint program at Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia and the Louis A. Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Atlanta-based Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 70 countries. The Carter Center, with offices based in Liberia, has operated an Access to Justice Project since 2006. Working with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Judiciary, and the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute, The Carter Center is working to help build the capacity necessary within the justice system to provide accessible, fair, and consistent justice.
 
Application Details _______________________________________________________
Timing:
Applicants are invited to apply for 6 – 24 month placements. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning on September 8, 2009.
Qualifications:
•JD or expected JD by Fall, 2010
•excellent legal research and writing skills;
•excellent communication skills;
•commitment to working for underprivileged populations;
•flexibility and patience to work in a developing context;
•self-motivated with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
•international experience desired, but not necessary; and
•willingness (and enthusiasm) to travel to rural areas within Liberia.

Facilitators, Funding and Sponsorship:

The Transnational Law Institute at Washington and Lee University School of Law promotes and establishes the fellow placements, and The Carter Center facilitates in-country aspects of the fellowship and provides a local point of contact in Liberia. TCC and W&L are fellowship facilitators only. There is no academic credit or funding available from either organization for the fellowships.
Once accepted to the Liberia Law Fellowship Program, the program will work with candidates to develop proposals for funding from firms, foundations, or public interest / human rights fellowships.

To Apply:

E-mail a resume and cover letter detailing interest in position, potential funding sources, relevant deadlines, length of availability and available start date to:

Juliette Syn
Liberia Law Fellowship Program Coordinator
Transnational Law Institute
Washington & Lee School of Law
WLUTCC@wlu.edu

Applicants to the program will receive a more detailed description of the program offerings, terms and conditions.