Apply for NLADA’s inaugural Client & Community Advocacy Fellowship. Be a part of 
NLADA’s first cohort working around the country to improve client outcomes and 
engagement.

This position is the Community Partnership and Client Feedback Fellow at Utah Legal 
Services.

Employment Status: The selected Fellow will be hired and employed directly by Utah 
Legal Services (ULS). While the Fellow will participate in NLADA’s national Client & 
Community Advocacy Fellowship cohort and receive training and support from NLADA, the 
Fellow is not an employee of NLADA. The Fellow will be supervised by and work as a 
member of the Utah Legal Services team.

NLADA is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in 
delivering legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. We provide advocacy, 
guidance, information, training, and technical assistance for members of the equal justice 
community, especially those working in public defense and civil legal aid. For more than a 
century, we have connected and supported people across the country committed to 
justice. Because the quality of justice in America should not depend on how much money a 
person has, NLADA leads a broad network of advocates on the frontlines to advance justice 
and expand opportunity for all by promoting excellence in delivering legal services for 
people who cannot afford counsel. Our strategy toward equal justice is focused on equity 
and centering the voices of directly impacted communities.

The chosen Fellow will serve at Utah Legal Services. Utah Legal Service’s mission is to 
provide high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal 
representation or are facing disadvantages, ensuring meaningful access to justice, and 
promoting education, stability, safety, and protection.

Main office located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Qualified candidates from across the state of 
Utah will be considered.
 

Who Should Apply?

We strongly encourage applications from:
• Former clients of civil legal aid or public defender offices
• Community advocates with lived experience navigating legal systems
• Individuals passionate about equity, justice, and systems change
• Leaders who bring cultural humility, courage, and a commitment to improving 
access to justice

You must:
• Be a Client or former Client based upon NLADA’s definition*
• Be at least 18 years old (no upper age limit)
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Be available full-time for 18 months
• Commit to serving four days per week at a host site + Friday NLADA trainings
*In the NLADA community, the definition of client includes those who have received either 
civil legal aid or public defense services, and community advocate refers to former clients 
who are now working alongside civil legal aid and public defenders to improve equal 
justice.

Fellowship Structure
The Community Partnership and Client Feedback Fellow will be a full-time staff member of 
Utah Legal Services and will work closely with ULS staff and leadership. The Fellow will:
• Work primarily from the Utah Legal Services office or remotely within Utah
• Receive day-to-day supervision from Utah Legal Services
• Participate in weekly professional development trainings and cohort sessions 
hosted by NLADA
• Collaborate with other Fellows across the country as part of NLADA’s national 
fellowship cohort

You must:
• Be a Client or former Client based upon NLADA’s definition*
• Be at least 18 years old (no upper age limit)
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Be available full-time for 18 months
• Commit to serving four days per week at a host site + Friday NLADA trainings
*In the NLADA community, the definition of client includes those who have received either 
civil legal aid or public defense services, and community advocate refers to former clients 
who are now working alongside civil legal aid and public defenders to improve equal 
justice.

PROJECT GOAL
ULS identified a need for a holistic approach to legal services that integrates client voices 
and coordinates services with community partners across the state. In 2026, ULS started a 
partner referral program by entering into agreements with other nonprofit organizations 
whereby ULS shares their case acceptance guidelines with nonprofit organizations, and 
nonprofit partners triage to refer eligible people to ULS.

The goals of this project include building a process to incorporate case managers into ULS
and to have partners share potential client information with ULS, while honoring 
confidentiality and with informed consent, to make the process easier and less traumatic 
for people needing help.
You must:
• Be a Client or former Client based upon NLADA’s definition*
• Be at least 18 years old (no upper age limit)
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Be available full-time for 18 months
• Commit to serving four days per week at a host site + Friday NLADA trainings
*In the NLADA community, the definition of client includes those who have received either 
civil legal aid or public defense services, and community advocate refers to former clients 
who are now working alongside civil legal aid and public defenders to improve equal 
justice.

REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION: Please upload your resume along with your 
answers to the following questions:
Please respond to the following prompts (300–500 words each unless otherwise noted):
A. Lived Experience & Motivation
Please describe your lived experience with civil legal aid, public defense services or 
navigating a system that created barriers to justice. In what ways did this experience shape 
your desire to improve access to justice?

B. Community Voice & Systems Change
What does it mean to you to center community voice in legal systems?
Provide an example of how you have elevated the voice of others or advocated for change.

C. Equity & Justice
NLADA is committed to expanding equitable access to justice.
How do you define equity? How would you bring an equity-centered approach to this 
fellowship?

D. Collaboration & Professional Growth
This fellowship includes structured supervision, collaboration with legal professionals, and 
participation in a national cohort.
• What strengths would you bring to this environment?
• What skills or knowledge do you hope to develop over the 18 months?

Salary Information: The Fellow salary is $70,000 over 18 months and will be paid 
biweekly by Utah Legal Services. The Fellow will be an employee of Utah Legal 
Services and will receive compensation and employment benefits through ULS in 
accordance with its employment policies.
Please note: Although this fellowship is part of NLADA’s national Client & Community 
Advocacy Fellowship program, the selected Fellow will be employed by and work for Utah 
Legal Services, not NLADA.

Physical Demands: Constantly stationary; occasionally requires moving about the office 
and frequently to attend meetings. Constantly operates a computer and other office 
productivity machinery. Frequently communicates and exchanges information. Seldom 
requires lifting of up to 10 pounds.

NLADA is committed to fair employment practices and equal employment opportunity 
regardless of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, ethnicity, family-care status, gender 
identity (including characteristics and/or expression), marital status, matriculation at a 
college, medical condition (including HIV/AIDS), chronic illness, pregnancy, childbirth (or 
other related medical conditions), membership in a labor union or union activities covered 
by the Act, mental disability, national origin, personal appearance, height and weight, 
physical disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran 
status.

NLADA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable 
accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable 
accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to 
perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of 
employment, please contact Human Resources