Introducing our
2024 Skadden Fellows
These 28 Fellows come from 15 law schools and will address a wide variety of civil legal needs for people living in poverty across the U.S. The Skadden Foundation has funded 990 public interest fellowships since the program's founding 35 years ago.
2024
CAIR Legal Defense Fund, Washington, DC
Isir Said
Isir will provide direct representation, public education and public advocacy to vindicate the rights of low-income Muslim women who have had their religious head covering forcibly removed while in police custody.
As a Muslim American, many of my loved ones wear the hijab. I am honored by this opportunity to work alongside CAIR LDF in safeguarding the rights of those in my community.
2024
ACLU of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
Helen Carstarphen Malley
Helen will employ impact litigation, legislative advocacy and community education to advance a state constitutional right to shelter and promote access to shelter.
I believe the right to shelter is one of our most foundational human rights. In dialogue with our unhoused community members, my project will advocate for the recognition of an affirmative right to shelter for all Alaskans under Alaska's state constitution.
2024
Oregon Law Center, Portland, OR
Allison Nasson
Allison will provide direct representation and community education to unhoused Oregonians with disabilities, a demographic experiencing heightened levels of policing despite the state's failure to provide adequate, accessible shelter.
Ordinances that criminalize homelessness disproportionately impact unhoused individuals with disabilities. Representing and working alongside this population provides an opportunity to mitigate the harms of criminalization, challenge unjust ordinances, and push cities to fund programs such as permanent supportive housing.
2024
Central West Justice Center, Springfield, MA
Ben Rodgers
Ben will provide legal representation to migrant child workers with immigration, employment and family law needs. He will collaborate with local nonprofit community organizations to provide empowering educational programs.
Across the U.S., including in Massachusetts, thousands of migrant children work long hours, often in dangerous and taxing jobs, while navigating the immigration court system, often without assistance of counsel. I grew up in a rural community in a working poor family, and helping children find stability, security and empowerment is deeply meaningful for me.