~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?30 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?31 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)?32
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.33 You must be based at a non-profit organization that has the supportive infrastructure to act as your host.34 Reaching out to organizations that you’ve previously worked with is one of the best ways to build an application.35
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 need36 and make sure your project does not duplicate work.37
5. Prioritize your personal statement.38 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.39
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 http://www.jmls.edu/career-services/pdf/PublicInterestHandbook.pdf.
2 Deborah A. Shmedemann, The Impact of Law School on Pro Bono Participation in Practice, in PRIVATE LAWYERS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PRO BONO IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION 73-74 (Robert Granfield & Lynn Mather eds., 2009).
3 WHAT IS PUBLIC INTEREST LAW? http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/opia/public-interest-law/index.html (last visited Feb. 2, 2014, 9:19 AM).
4 Id.
5 STACY M. DEBROFF, ESQ. ET AL., SERVING THE PUBLIC: A JOB SEARCH GUIDE, VOLUME I – USA 4 (15th ed. 2004-2005).
6 Shmedemann, supra note 2, at page number depending on what page that foot note is on.
7 Id.
8 COMMUNITY LAWYERS, INC., http://www.community-lawyers.org/students/74-summer-internships1 (last visited January 21, 2014, 11:16 PM).
9 Leslie C. Levin, Pro Bono and Low Bono in the Solo and Small Law Firm Context, in PRIVATE LAWYERS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PRO BONO IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION 155-56 (Robert Granfield & Lynn Mather eds., 2009).
10 Id.
11 Id. at 156.
12 PSJD Home Page http://www.psjd.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014) (formerly known as PSLawNet).
13 Equal Justice Works Fellowships Page http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
14 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
15 Id. at 3.
16 Equal Rights Advocates Fellowships Page http://www.equalrights.org/2013-2014-ruth-chance-law-fellow/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
17 ACLU Career Page https://www.aclu.org/careers/3 (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
18 Yale CDO at 4.
19 Skadden Home Page http://www.skaddenfellowships.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
20 Equal Justice Works Fellowships Page http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
21 Echoing Green Homepage http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
22 Yale CDO at 5.
23 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).
24 Human Rights Watch Home Pagehttp://www.hrw.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
25 Amnesty International Home Page http://www.amnestyusa.org/ (last visited Feb. 6, 2014).
26 Yale CDO at 17-18.
27 Id. at 19.
28 Id. at 4.
29 Id. at 11-12.
30 Id. at 16.
31 Id.
32 Id. at 17.
33 Id. at 13-14.
34 Id. at 17.
35 Id. at 15.
36 Id. at 16.
37 Id. at 17.
38 Id. at 18.
39 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.
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