Equal Justice Works

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we honor every worker who powers our economy.

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day honors the social and economic achievements of the American workforce and recognizes the many contributions of workers, yet the fight for dignity on the job is far from over. Today, it includes some of our workforce's most vulnerable members.

2024 Fellow Ana Martinez is on the front lines of that fight, providing intersectional immigration and employment legal services for immigrant victims of labor violations across Texas. Through her work, she's built an integrated legal-services model that helps low-wage immigrant workers pursue employment claims and immigration protections side by side.

Her work has opened the door to representation for workers facing wage theft, harassment, and workplace assault through which she has reached over 130 workers, with full representation for 64 clients, plus community clinics that have helped dozens more.

Every worker deserves protection under the law. This Labor Day, we're proud to celebrate Fellows like Ana who make that promise real.

09/04/2026

‼️Law students and recent graduates: Time’s running out to register for the annual Equal Justice Works Career Fair!

If you're pursuing a career in public interest law, we want you at there! Have we mentioned it's the largest public interest legal career fair🎡 in the country?

When? Oct. 8-9th
Where? Virtual

Learn more about this virtual fair and register:
https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/conference-and-career-fair/for-attendees/law-students-graduates/

Deadline to register for students is September 11

09/04/2026

Are you an Equal Justice Works Alum? Help us select the next Class of 2027 Design-Your-Own Fellows!

With your valuable insight, you will identify applicants whose projects make a real impact on the broader access to justice ecosystem.

Your perspective helps elevate voices and projects driving innovation in access to justice and supports advocates ready to grow, collaborate, and lead.

WHAT TO EXPECT

📝 Registration: Choose to review 5 or 10 applications, plus your preferred issue area(s)
📝 Training: Clear written guidance + recorded training provided; reviews happen via Submittable
🕐 Time Commitment: 4-8 hours total (~20 min setup, ~45 min per application)

Review Period: Sept. 25 - Oct. 16

Register by Sept. 16‼️

Equal Justice Works Application Manager Powered By Submittable - Accept and Curate Digital Content

09/03/2026

Student loan defaults are surging as millions of Americans face higher monthly payments and fewer repayment options.

For public service professionals, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) remains a critical lifeline.

“Today we continue working to ensure that the program remains available, because we know it has a real impact on the lives of those who need it,” said Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams.

Read more from Nonprofit Quarterly about the growing student debt crisis and why protecting PSLF matters:

More than $1.6 trillion in student debt still burdens millions of families, restricting life choices like homeownership and career advancement.

09/02/2026

Purple Heart veteran Sae Joon Park served in the U.S. Army and has called the United States home since childhood. Last year, he self-deported to South Korea after being told his deferred action status had ended, separating him from his family.

Since then, Equal Justice Works Alum Danicole Ramos has been fighting for a path for Park to return home.

Now, a pardon from the governor of New York marks a major step forward in that fight.

“This pardon represents a tremendous step forward and gives Mr. Park and his family renewed hope that, after more than a year of separation, he may one day be able to return to the country he has called home since childhood and for which he put his life on the line,” Ramos said.

We’re proud to see Equal Justice Works Alumni continuing to advocate alongside their clients when it matters most.

Read the full story from NPR:

His removal order was triggered by two convictions from over 15 years ago, when he struggled with untreated PTSD. New York's governor said Park earned a "second chance through rehabilitation."

08/26/2026

🚨There's still time to register for today's Design-Your-Own Fellowship Office Hours!

It's a great time to ask any questions you may have regarding the process from materials needed to submit your application to how our team can support you and your prospective Host Organization.

Join the team at 4PM ET TODAY: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/2027-design-your-own-fellowships-application-office-hours-round-four/

08/17/2026

Did you miss last week's office hours to get help with your Design-Your-Own Fellowship application? You're in luck! Our team is offering office hours every Wednesday until September 2.

Register for any of these dates and get support from the Equal Justice Works team on your application!

💻 August 19 - Register here: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/2027-design-your-own-fellowships-application-office-hours-round-two/

💻 August 26 - Register here: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/2027-design-your-own-fellowships-application-office-hours-round-three/

💻 September 2 - Register here: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/2027-design-your-own-fellowships-application-office-hours-round-four/

08/11/2026

We're just over a month away from the Design-Your-Own Fellowship application deadline on September 17th!

If you have questions about your application, join us for Office Hours tomorrow, 🗓️ August 12th at 1PM ET. Our staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Class of 2027 Fellowship applications and how we can support you and your prospective Host organization.

Register today: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/2027-design-your-own-fellowships-application-office-hours-round-one/

08/10/2026

After four months of working remotely, our DMV staff are back in our newly renovated office space! 🎉 🎉 🎉

Thank you to our Operations team for working tirelessly to set us up for success! We want to give a special thanks to Millennium Enterprise Corporation - MEC, Wayfair, and Herman Miller for their donations to the office.

07/31/2026

People with disabilities facing eviction too often go without legal representation, leaving them vulnerable to losing safe, accessible housing they depend on.

2025 Fellow Erin Esterson is working to change that through her Equal Justice Works Fellowship with Disability Rights Maryland, where she represents individuals with disabilities in eviction proceedings.

Learn more about her project here: https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/fellows/erin-esterson/