JusticeCorps is dedicated to increasing access within California’s legal system by offering support to the thousands of individuals representing themselves in civil cases each year. We train undergraduates and recent graduates to provide direct service and neutral assistance (not legal advice) to self-represented litigants in one of the many court-based self-help centers across the state. JusticeCorps members serve under the supervision of attorneys to offer essential support for those navigating the court system on their own, by providing one-on-one support and assisting with workshops. JusticeCorps members empower litigants to understand their options, to have their voices heard, and to confidently move forward with their legal matter.
JusticeCorps Service Opportunities
JusticeCorps members serve a 300-hour or 1,700-hour AmeriCorps term of service. 300-hour Legal Access Interns are students enrolled at one of JusticeCorps' partner campuses, and complete their service over one academic year. JusticeCorps Graduate Fellows are full-time AmeriCorps members, who complete their term of service over 12 months.
JusticeCorps Legal Access Interns (300-hr AmeriCorps Members)
Legal Access Interns (LAI’s) are undergraduate students enrolled at JusticeCorps partner campuses in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diego. Legal Access Interns come from a variety of majors and are trained to provide legal education to litigants by assisting in leading community workshops or providing one-on-one services.
Minimum Eligibility: In addition to meeting AmeriCorps eligibility requirements, LAI applicants must be an undergraduate student enrolled during the entire 2025-2026 academic year at one of JusticeCorps’ participating partner campuses.
Service Commitment: LAI’s must complete 300 hours of service beginning September 2025 and concluding as early as May 2026. JusticeCorps LAI members are expected to serve 6-8 hours per week, primarily during the academic year.
Los Angeles JusticeCorps also offers a 300-hr summer program, during which Legal Access Interns serve full-time while school is not in session.
Minimum Eligibility: In addition to meeting AmeriCorps eligibility requirements, LAI applicants must be an undergraduate student. Summer Legal Access Interns are not required to attend a JusticeCorps partner campus.
Service Commitment: Summer LAI’s must complete 300 hours of service beginning June 2026 and concluding August 2026. Summer LAI members serve 5 days a week during their 8-10-week term.
JusticeCorps Graduate Fellows (1,700-hr AmeriCorps Members)
JusticeCorps Graduate Fellows commit to a Full-Time AmeriCorps term—1,700 hours served over 12 months, 5 days a week—and receive a number of benefits in exchange. Fellows may lead legal education workshops for the public and all Fellows provide direct one-on-one service to litigants seeking to represent themselves in court. In addition to providing self-represented litigants with information about procedures, options, and referrals to appropriate services, Fellows take a leadership role, and are mentors for the Legal Access Interns with whom they serve. JusticeCorps Fellows must be college graduates but do not have to be affiliated with a JusticeCorps partner campus.
Minimum Eligibility: In addition to meeting AmeriCorps eligibility requirements, Fellowship applicants must have received an undergraduate degree by August 10, 2025. Fellows are not required to be affiliated with a JusticeCorps partner campus.
Service Commitment: Fellows must complete 1,700 hours of service beginning August 2025 and concluding in August 2026.
JusticeCorps Graduate Fellow Benefits
JusticeCorps Graduate Fellows will receive the following benefits during their service term:
- $34,500 Living Allowance (before taxes) spread evenly over 12 months
- $10,000 combined Segal Education Award and California For All Education Award (upon completion of service)
- SNAP (Food Stamps) – for those eligible
- Health Insurance
- AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program (MAP)—wellness benefits including mental health support and life coaching
- Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and payment of interest accrued during service
- Child care assistance to qualifying Fellows, paid to an eligible provider of your choice
Bay Area
Bay Area Fellowship Application Deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025
Bay Area LAI Application Deadline: Monday, February 24, 2025
Bay Area service sites are located in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Solano, and San Mateo counties.
Bay Area Campus Partners
• University of California at Berkeley • San Francisco State University • California State University East Bay • San Jose State University • Stanford University • Cañada College • College of San Mateo • Skyline College • Santa Clara University
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Fellowship Application Deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025
Los Angeles LAI Application Deadline: Priority deadline for all CSU campuses and USC is Monday, March 10, 2025. Priority deadline for UCLA is Monday, April 7, 2025. Applications received by the priority deadline will be given first consideration, however applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
Los Angeles Summer LAI Application Deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025
Los Angeles service sites are located throughout the county, including Downtown Los Angeles, Chatsworh, Pomona, Pasadena, Compton, Long Beach, and Whittier.
Los Angeles Campus Partners
• California State University at Dominguez Hills • California State University at Long Beach • California State University at Northridge • California State Polytechnic University Pomona • University of California at Los Angeles • University of Southern California
San Diego
San Diego Fellowship Application Deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025
San Diego LAI Application Deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025
San Diego service sites are located in North, East, South and Downtown San Diego.
San Diego Campus Partners
• University of California at San Diego • San Diego State University • California State University, San Marcos