About the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP)
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented eviction risk for U.S. renters. We formed the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) in April 2020 as a direct response. Over the past few years, our community organizing project has evolved into a large housing stability organization that operates a continuum of care model focused on stopping eviction and displacement.
Serving over 1,000 households per month, we bring together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to provide five services:
- Rental Assistance: through our rental assistance program, we leverage public funds to pay back and future rent, reinstate leases, and avert evictions through rental debt settlements.
- Legal Services: For complicated cases with additional legal issues or difficult landlords, CED Law offers eviction defense services, paired with rental assistance dollars, to encourage settlement or stabilize tenancies and represent tenants in court when negotiation does not work. The law firm also takes on strategic affirmative litigation to confront egregious economic abuses.
- Rehousing and Case Management: Where legal services do not work, we provide rehousing support services through ERA funding and agency referrals.
- A legal innovation lab, that designs and develops technology-driven solutions, to both address the immediate needs of affected families while also focusing on long-term strategies for prevention and sustainable change.
- Policy: More broadly, we go case to cause. We work with our clients to tell their stories and amplify their voices into policy change. For example, in the 2020-2021 legislative session, we drafted and, in coalition with community organizations, passed the renters’ rights legislation that caps late fees, penalizes abusive landlords, and gives Coloradans access to the warranty of habitability without paying a bond. We have also curtailed predatory towing, secured additional assistance funding for our clients, and capped the price of epi pens at the legislature.
Our model has been cited as a best practice by the White House, HUD, the Urban Institute, and in the media.
As our team continues to scale our services at risk of eviction, we are also building a comprehensive economic, legal, and policy response to mortgage foreclosure, debt, and predatory towing across Colorado. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, these efforts will offer a continuum of services that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy. Technology to increase access to justice and the ease of managing the assistance system will be a core part of the response.
More about the Law & Technology Fellow
Our practice is seeking a Law & Technology Fellow to help us stabilize households in Colorado along this outlined continuum of care. As Matthew Desmond writes, an eviction is not just the consequence of poverty but also the cause. At CEDP we strive to disrupt the cycle of poverty by confronting economic abuse and investing in community wealth. This fight requires agility, adaptability, and the drive to create systemic change.
Therefore, we invite Fellowship applicants to partner with our team of housing attorneys, designers, legal technologists and advocates to craft an innovative project that will support and empower the most vulnerable Coloradans. The Fellow will work with our in-house legal innovation lab, led by Lois R. Lupica to develop innovative digital tools to address economic abuses, homelessness, eviction, foreclosure and access to economic justice generally. CEDP plans to submit applications to one or several fellowships, including Equal Justice Works, Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Justice Catalyst, and Gallogly Family Foundation Public Interest Law Fellowship. If selected as the Legal Technology Fellow, the position will begin at CED Law in early Fall 2024. CEDP operates with a growth mindset and pushes to challenge the status quo. We welcome ideas for this fellowship application, but there is no need to have a fully formed project proposal before reaching out to us! Big picture, this project could focus on:
- Pairing of rental assistance, legal aid, housing navigation and resource connection through the launch of an eviction mediation or diversion program in connection with county courts
- Clearing / sealing of eviction records
- Helping tenants navigate warranty of habitability issues and assert their rights to break a lease or sue the landlord
- Ensuring that tenants have access to urgently needed resources at county courthouses throughout the state
- Expanding education around housing resources and tenants’ rights through development of written materials and user-friendly technology
- Advancing innovative strategies and methods to empower tenants
Position Responsibilities
- Communicate with clients in a timely, respectful, and empathetic manner
- Manage client and key stakeholder expectations
- Represent clients facing eviction proceedings and/or in affirmative litigation in court
- Set and complete case goals identified by, or in partnership with, supervisors and in accordance with fellowship project requirements
- Coordinate across CEDP to ensure timely tracking and reporting of case completions
- Have or develop excellent knowledge of Colorado housing law
- Complete required documentation for both case tracking and also personal management
- Cultivate skills needed for social networking, gained through forging relationships with a variety of constituencies
- Sharpen time management skills and manage multiple initiatives and projects
- Develop verbal/written communication/ presentation skills including the ability to lead and participate in panels and discussions
- Create and execute a comprehensive project that utilizes digital tools to expand access to legal aid and resources that empower low-income tenants facing housing instability in Colorado
- Work with a digital tool development team to hone analytical, creative problem-solving, and project management skills
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the principles of user centered design
- Write for an audience that has had limited access to education and little exposure to law-related processes and the legal system
- Develop an understanding of the processes for launching a product into the market
- Develop an enhanced proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, project management, wireframing and no-code product development platforms
- No previous experience or background in tech required
Position Responsibilities Specifically Related to Creation of Digital Tools for Which Training Will be Provided:
Position Requirements
- Work with us (the host organization) to develop and submit a fellowship application(s)
- JD earned in 2023 and currently in a clerkship position or JD expected to be earned in 2024
- Demonstrated passion for social and racial justice
- Strong desire to center client and community needs
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational abilities
- Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment
- A supportive, client-focused attitude
- Creativity and willingness to think outside of the box
- An interest in technology as a way to scale scarce legal and community resources
- An interest in human-centered design and technology development
- The desire to work in a collaborative environment centered on social and racial justice and equity
- Ability to travel around the Denver metro area for in-person clinics, hearings, and team meetings
- Knowledge of MS Office suite, client relationship database such as Clio, Google Suite desired
- Other language skills not required but are a strong plus and eligible for additional stipend
Equal Opportunity
CEDP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary grade is $65,000 per year pre-admission to the Colorado bar and $75,000 post-admission. CEDP will top up any fellowship grant to this amount.
- Benefits include health, dental, unlimited paid vacation, short-term and long-term disability, and 401K.
- As in-person work is sometimes required, all employees at CEDP are expected to maintain current vaccination status in keeping with CDC recommendations.
To Apply
Interested candidates should apply by clicking the button to apply linked on this page. Please submit a resume and cover letter that includes a description of potential ideas or areas of interest for the fellowship project. Applications will be accepted through Monday, July 31, 2023.