INTERESTED IN PUBLIC INTEREST?
FINDING AND KNOWING YOUR HOST ORGANIZATION
After developing your project, you must identify and work closely with an organization that is interested in, equipped to house, and supervise your project.22 You must be based at a non-profit organization that has the supportive infrastructure to act as your host. 23 Reaching out to organizations that you’ve previously worked with is one of the best ways to build an application. 24
FUNDING YOUR FELLOWSHIP
The final component of a fellowship is securing a sponsor for the fellow’s project/salary. Given the nature of non-profits, they are typically unable to fund. Instead, corporations and large law firms sponsor some fellowships. If your project could be considered politically divisive, ask people associated with the fellowship application process if your proposal would be well received. Networking with those familiar with fellowship sponsors is also important.
IMPORTANT TIPS
1. Discuss ideas with your law school’s career office when you think you might be interested in applying for a fellowship.
2. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Applications take a tremendous amount of researching, planning, consulting and flawless editing.
3. Review past fellows’ projects. Be familiar with the sponsoring organization’s past work and cognizant of what issues are funded.
4. Demonstrate an unmet need25 and make sure your project does not duplicate work.26
5. Prioritize your personal statement. 27 Selection committees want to see passion, expertise and insight about the issues.
6. Develop a relationship with your host organization and involve them in the application process.
7. Create a timeline to track your application deadlines.28
FINAL THOUGHTS
The fellowship application process can seem daunting but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Often times a fellowship is the only way to get into public interest organizations directly out of law school because most organizations are strapped for funding and unable to hire otherwise. Through a fellowship you may be better positioned to access loan repayment programs, a nationwide pool for former and current fellows, and hundreds of public interest attorneys around the country. Finally, a fellowship enables you to immediately use your legal training to advocate on behalf of those who are most in need.
1 PSJD Home Page http://www.psjd.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014) (formerly known as PSLawNet).
2 Equal Justice Works Fellowships Page http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
3 Yale Law School Career Development Office, Public Interest Fellowships Vol. I (2011-2012) [hereinafter Yale CDO], available at http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/CDO_Public/Final_Public_Fellowships__Vol_1.pdf
4 Id. at 3.
5 Equal Rights Advocates Fellowships Page http://www.equalrights.org/2013-2014-ruth-chance-law-fellow/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
6 ACLU Career Page https://www.aclu.org/careers/3 (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
7 Yale CDO at 4.
8 Skadden Home Page http://www.skaddenfellowships.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
9 Equal Justice Works Fellowships Page http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
10 Echoing Green Homepage http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
11 Yale CDO at 5.
12 Georgetown Law Center Academic Fellowships Page http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-programs/clinical-programs/our-clinics/HIP/HIP-fellowships.cfm (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
13 Human Rights Watch Home Pagehttp://www.hrw.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
14 Amnesty International Home Page http://www.amnestyusa.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
15 Id. at 17-18.
16 Id. at 19.
17 Yale CDO at 4.
18 Id. at 11-12.
19 Id. at 16.
20 Id.
21 Id. at 17.
22 Id. at 13-14.
23 Id. at 17.
24 Id. at 15.
25 Id. at 16.
26 Id. at 17.
27 Id. at 18.
28 PSJD Fellowships Page http://www.psjd.org/Postgraduate_Public_Interest_Fellowships:_Application_Deadline_List (last visited Feb. 6, 2014) (It is common to submit an application in the beginning of your 3L year; however, others are on a rolling basis. PSJD maintains a comprehensive fellowship calendar with important dates and deadlines), see also Yale CDO at 20.
by: Teresa Gutierrez, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Mahira Siddiqui, Golden Gate University School of Law
Shana Scott,
Brenda D. Villanueva
...
37
Yellow:
#CA9753
Purple:
#61365E
The best way to learn about different employment options is to work in environments that pique your interest. Take advantage of clinical courses, externships and volunteer opportunities to acquaint yourself first-hand with different types of public interest employers in different fields such as direct client services or policy work. The sooner you develop an interest, the sooner you acquire the specialized skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Relatedly, some experiences also help students decide which types of careers are not right for them. A public interest internship can serve as the testing ground for a post-graduate fellowship.
WHAT IS A FELLOWSHIP?
Post-graduate fellowships provide recent law school graduates a wonderful opportunity to fund and obtain a public interest position right out of law school for one or two years. Applying for fellowships is a competitive, time-consuming and labor-intensive process, but fellowships are a unique and effective way to create a public interest “dream job” working on engaging and meaningful legal issues that are not adequately addressed by the legal community. Fellows typically work on behalf of an underserved community, develop projects resulting in enhanced legal services, public policy, legislation, or conduct research on cutting-edge legal issues. PSJD1 and Equal Justice Works2 offer troves of advice for prospective fellows, including links to guides produced by several law schools.3
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FELLOWSHIPS?
Organizational Fellowships are sponsored by a particular non-profit organization and fellows receive a stipend for working within the organization.4
Examples include the Ruth Chance Fellows at Equal Rights Advocates5 and fellowships at the ACLU6 and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Project-Based Fellowships allow applicants to develop their own specific project in conjunction with a sponsoring non-profit organization of the applicants’ choice .
Examples include Skadden Fellowships8, Equal Justice Works Fellowships9 (“EJW”), and Echoing Green Fellowships10.
Academic Fellowships are available at some law schools and provide the opportunity to earn an advanced law degree while training to become a law professor.11
Examples include the Georgetown University Teaching Fellowship.12
International Fellowships allow applicants to work abroad for international organizations or on issues of international concern.
Examples of groups that sponsor these fellowships are Human Rights Watch13 and Amnesty International14.
WHAT DO FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS REQUIRE?
Most applications require (1) resumes; (2) personal statements/essays; (3) recommendations from professors and/or former employers; and (4) occasionally a law school transcript.15 Some applications require a statement from the host organization and others require or a detailed proposal of your project.16
HOW DO I DEVELOP MY PROJECT?
A successful fellowship application requires a significant amount of advance planning. It is recommended to start setting the groundwork for your applications as early as the first semester of law school! Although it might seem premature, it is important to remember that you will need to demonstrate to fellowship sponsors a consistent commitment to public interest law. The best way to do this is through networking, working for public interest employers and enrolling in clinical programs. Pre-law school public service experience may be relevant as well.
Project-based fellowships are often dependent on how well applicants conveyed the goals of the project, the concrete and specific strategies to accomplish these goals and the particular skills and experience of the applicant to make the project succeed.17 You may have a better chance of obtaining a fellowship if you are willing to relocate to a geographic area that attracts fewer attorneys. For example, EJW specifically encourages applications from people who want to work in areas other than popular coastal cities. However, if you show a personal connection to an urban city, that can strengthen your application. For a project-based fellowship, ask yourself these questions18 to begin some self-assessment:
~What kind of work are you interested in? Direct representation? Coalition building? Policy development? Impact litigation? Lobbying?
~What measurable outcomes you want to achieve? This can include the number of clients served, legislation proposed/enacted, specific change to existing law, or a coalition formed to address a particular sub-issue?
~How is your project unique? What is the need for your project?19 How do you know that need exists? Will you work on a national or local level?
~How does your background prepare you for this project?20 What is your passion for or particular connection to this project? Does the project fit with your long-term goals?
~Is your timeline realistic? Who do you need to develop relationships with for your project to succeed (and continue after your fellowship ends)?21
Moreover, firm lawyers are sometimes allowed to take time off to concentrate on pro bono matters while continuing to earn full compensation.10 Becoming an entrepreneur might be important to you, and as a solo practitioner you can also do pro bono or low bono (legal services at a reduced rate) work for your clients. Solo practitioners might have more limitations than a large firm, but it is certainly possible for a solo practitioner to provide low bono work or to work in areas where underserved populations are in need of representation.11 For instance, a public interest fellowship might be a great place for you to start. Please read on below to learn more about public interest law fellowships—usually short-term opportunities that can serve as stepping stones to more long-term opportunities in public interest law or even private practice.
Forging Your Path With A Post-graduate Fellowship
The best way to learn about different employment options is to work in environments that pique your interest. Take advantage of clinical courses, externships and volunteer opportunities to acquaint yourself first-hand with different types of public interest employers in different fields such as direct client services or policy work. The sooner you develop an interest, the sooner you acquire the specialized skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Relatedly, some experiences also help students decide which types of careers are not right for them. A public interest internship can serve as the testing ground for a post-graduate fellowship.
WHAT IS A FELLOWSHIP?
Post-graduate fellowships provide recent law school graduates a wonderful opportunity to fund and obtain a public interest position right out of law school for one or two years. Applying for fellowships is a competitive, time-consuming and labor-intensive process, but fellowships are a unique and effective way to create a public interest “dream job” working on engaging and meaningful legal issues that are not adequately addressed by the legal community. Fellows typically work on behalf of an underserved community, develop projects resulting in enhanced legal services, public policy, legislation, or conduct research on cutting-edge legal issues. PSJD12 and Equal Justice Works13 offer troves of advice for prospective fellows, including links to guides produced by several law schools.14
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FELLOWSHIPS?
Organizational Fellowships are sponsored by a particular non-profit organization and fellows receive a stipend for working within the organization.15
Examples include the Ruth Chance Fellows at Equal Rights Advocates16 and fellowships at the ACLU17 and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Project-Based Fellowships allow applicants to develop their own specific project in conjunction with a sponsoring non-profit organization of the applicants’ choice.18
Examples include Skadden Fellowships,19 Equal Justice Works Fellowships (“EJW”),20 and Echoing Green Fellowships.21
Academic Fellowships are available at some law schools and provide the opportunity to earn an advanced law degree while training to become a law professor.22
Examples include the Georgetown University Teaching Fellowship.23
International Fellowships allow applicants to work abroad for international organizations or on issues of international concern.
Examples of groups that sponsor these fellowships are Human Rights Watch24 and Amnesty International.25
WHAT DO FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS REQUIRE?
Most applications require (1) resumes; (2) personal statements/essays; (3) recommendations from professors and/or former employers; and (4) occasionally a law school transcript.26 Some applications require a statement from the host organization and others require or a detailed proposal of your project.27
HOW DO I DEVELOP MY PROJECT?
A successful fellowship application requires a significant amount of advance planning. It is recommended to start setting the groundwork for your applications as early as the first semester of law school! Although it might seem premature, it is important to remember that you will need to demonstrate to fellowship sponsors a consistent commitment to public interest law. The best way to do this is through networking, working for public interest employers and enrolling in clinical programs. Pre-law school public service experience may be relevant as well.
Project-based fellowships are often dependent on how well applicants conveyed the goals of the project, the concrete and specific strategies to accomplish these goals and the particular skills and experience of the applicant to make the project succeed.28 You may have a better chance of obtaining a fellowship if you are willing to relocate to a geographic area that attracts fewer attorneys. For example, EJW specifically encourages applications from people who want to work in areas other than popular coastal cities. However, if you show a personal connection to an urban city, that can strengthen your application. For a project-based fellowship, ask yourself these questions29 to begin some self-assessment:
~What kind of work are you interested in? Direct representation? Coalition building? Policy development? Impact litigation? Lobbying?
~What measurable outcomes you want to achieve? This can include the number of clients served, legislation
proposed/enacted, specific change to existing law, or a coalition formed to address a particular sub-issue?
~How is your project unique? What is the need for your project?19 How do you know that need exists? Will you work on a national or local level?
~How does your background prepare you for this project?20 What is your passion for or particular connection to this project? Does the project fit with your long-term goals?
~Is your timeline realistic? Who do you need to develop relationships with for your project to succeed (and continue after your fellowship ends)?21
interest law is not for everyone. While some people love giving back to the community, they might be unable to commit to public interest law on a full-time basis for various reasons, particularly financial reasons. This is especially the case with the rising cost of legal education; however, the cost of a law degree should not deter those that are passionate about careers in public interest law.
Even if you cannot or will not take a government or non-profit job on a full-time basis, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the community. You can join a local or national bar association and look out for volunteer opportunities with that association. Perhaps the law firm route is your goal. If so, many large firms have pro bono departments, and the firms provide services free of charge to clients different from those that the firm usually serves. Moreover, firm lawyers are sometimes allowed to take time off to concentrate on pro bono matters while continuing to earn full compensation. Becoming an entrepreneur might be important to you, and as a solo practitioner you can also do pro bono or low bono (legal services at a reduced rate) work for your clients. Solo practitioners might have more limitations than a large firm, but it is certainly possible for a solo practitioner to provide low bono work or to work in areas where underserved populations are in need of representation. For instance, a public interest fellowship might be a great place for you to start. Please read on below to learn more about public interest law fellowships—usually short-term opportunities that can serve as stepping stones to more long-term opportunities in public interest law or even private practice.