Fellowships
Fellowships enable graduating law students to secure entry-level positions in public interest and other non-profit organizations. Since many public interest organizations are unable to hire new law school graduates, fellowships provide a unique and valuable entry into the world of public interest law. Most fellowships are short-term (usually one to two years) although it is not uncommon for some agencies to offer the fellow a permanent position after the fellowship is completed. Fellowship stipends are comparable with other entry-level positions public sector positions.
Applying for a fellowship is a competitive process. It is important that your qualifications and interests closely relate to the requirements and goals of the fellowship. With that in mind, applicants need to research the particular program for which they are applying. Applicants must also pay close attention to application deadlines and give themselves ample time to prepare their proposals.
Some resources for fellowship opportunities are:
Alliance for Justice Public Interest Fellowship
The AFJ works to promote a fair and independent judiciary and strengthen public interest advocacy.
American Association of University Women
The AAUW Educational Foundation is the largest source of funding for graduate women which supports scholarship, teachers, activists, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.
Appellate Litigation Fellowship
Graduates with at least one year of professional experience and a strong academic background are qualified to apply for the Appellate Litigation Fellowship where you will be trained for a litigation or academic career while working on cases in the DC Circuit and the Supreme Court.
Center for Applied Legal Studies Advocacy Fellowship
This is a two-year teaching fellowship that allows you the opportunity to learn to teach law in a clinical setting.
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
The Center for International Environmental Law sponsors fellowships for graduates in international and comparative environmental law.
American Civil Liberties Union Civil Liberties Fellowship
The ACLU's mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties of people granted by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Fellows work in all phases of civil liberties advocacy.
Environmental Protection Agency - Honors Attorney Fellowship
This is a two-year fellowship which allows fellows to receive training and exposure to environmental law and policy work.
Equal Justice Fellowships
These fellowships offer graduates the ability to create public interest programs focused at helping communities that are in need of legal advocacy.
Federal Legislation Clinic Fellowships
This is a two-year fellowship that is designed to develop an attorney's skills as a legislative lawyer. From advocacy, to negotiation, to drafting, attorneys will work with the Legislative Clinic on developing strategies for clients with needs before the US Congress.
Fried Frank Fellowship Program
This program gives junior lawyers the chance to spend two years in the litigation department of Fried Frank's New York office and then two years at either the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) or the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).
Fullbright Fellowships
Young professionals may apply for this grant sponsored by the US State Department. Awards are granted for study in over 140 countries.
Human Rights Watch Fellowships
Fellows monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, and engage in advocacy efforts.
Institute for Public Representation Fellowships
Georgetown offers a two-year graduate fellowship in public interest advocacy where fellows will receive their LL.M. in Advocacy. Fellows work with students on research, factual development, and oral presentations.
Juvenile Justice Clinic Teaching Fellowships
The JJC offers a two-year fellowship that awards an LL.M. in advocacy to its graduate fellows upon completion of their two-year service. The clinic offers representation to juveniles charged with misdemeanors or felonies.
Pacific Legal Foundation, College of Public Interest Law Fellowships
Fellows litigate in support of private property rights, limited government and the free enterprise system while receiving concentrated litigation and writing experience.
Presidential Management Intern Program
The Office of Personnel Management administers this two-year internship program where graduates work with different agencies based on their area of expertise and interests.
Public Interest Law Initiative
This program offers internships and fellowships to law students and graduates who want to work in public interest law in the Chicago area.
Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program
This graduate fellowship offers young professionals the chance to work in executive positions in German companies where they will experience the cultural, political and economic climate of this dominate European nation. The goal of the program is to advance America-German/European relations.
Skadden Fellowships
This program gives graduates the freedom to develop their own public interest projects before being accepted for this prestigious award. The Fellowship is for two years and loan payments are made during the duration of service.
Soros Foundation Fellowships
A variety of fellowships are offered for graduates interested in using their skills for public interest projects.
US DOJ, Office of Solicitor General, Bristow Fellowship
The Solicitor General's office offers a one-year fellowship for attorneys to work on briefs against certiorari which are filed against the government, as well as work on recommendations for appeals in lower federal courts.
White House Fellowship Program
The White House offers one-year fellowships to 11-19 individuals who work as full time special assistants to a Cabinet member or senior presidential advisor.
Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program
This fellowship offers graduates the ability to work on policy and legal issues affecting women. Fellows are placed at organizations dedicated to women's issues and are supervised by attorneys in these organizations.
