CCLS Summer Fellowship Program

Overview

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals. CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS’s health work also extends to San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues.

CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS’s work includes direct services that meet our clients’ immediate needs, education, and advocacy.

CCLS will select three (3) law students to join our team and be a part of our mission to advance justice and empower people. During the 10-week program, Fellows will be assigned to one or more of the following legal teams:

• Housing Law Team (Eviction defense)
• Consumer/Senior/Public Benefits Law Team
• Health Consumer Center
• Family/Immigration Law Team

The 2026 Summer Fellowship will be conducted in-person at the CCLS main office in Fresno, California. Fellows will be expected to work alongside CCLS staff Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced, legal aid firm.

This is a paid Fellowship with an anticipated total award of $8,000 (gross) per Fellow, to be distributed semi-monthly.

All applications must include:

• Why are people poor? (Limit 500 words)
• How has your life and law school experience shaped your interest in poverty law? (Limit 500 words)
• What has been your greatest accomplishment? (Limit 500 words)

Supplemental question responses may be emailed to General Counsel, Jonathan Ota, at jota.