Law School Public Interest Programs - Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
Honorable Con G. Cholakis Fellowship- Albany Law School has established The Con G. Cholakis Public Service Fellowship as an endowed fund to provide underwriting support for law students working in public offices during the summer months. By establishing this fellowship, the law school recognizes that frequently there are no funds to compensate law students for their important efforts in the public interest and, given today's costs of a legal education, many are forced to turn away from the beneficial experience afforded by such service. As Cholakis Fellows, Albany Law School students will have the opportunity to assist in providing crucial legal services to the public and in so doing, will encourage those students to pursue public service careers.The fellowship recipient will demonstrate compassion and commitment to public service through prior public service, volunteer work, or other indicia of such commitment, be in academic good standing, and provide evidence of the recipient's independence, individualism, integrity and other strengths of character.
Summer Public Interest Stipend Program- For several years Albany Law School has offered a stipend program to encourage students to pursue public interest and public service opportunities. Each summer, the program provides modest stipends to approximately 50 Albany Law School students who intend to work for public interest and public service organizations during the summer months. The awards range from $700 to $1,000.To be considered for awards, student applicants must be planning to: (1) perform legal work for a federal, state, or local government agency; or (2) provide legal services (criminal or civil) through a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization qualified under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must demonstrate that they will work a minimum of 200 hours at their qualified organizations during the summer months. Moreover, student applicants must be uncompensated or receive reduced compensation. The Summer Public Interest Stipend Program is funded, in part, through the Dean's Public Interest Auction, an annual event made possible through donations by members of the ALS community and local businesses.
Graduate Student Funded:
Joseph C. Foiadelli Public Service Stipend- The families and friends of Joseph C. Foiadell, Esq. established a stipend in his honor in 2000. Joe was a member of Albany Law School's Class of 1997 who tragically lost his life in a car accident on November 28, 1998. Joe was a gifted student with a unique ability to befriend anyone, whatever the circumstance. He worked tirelessly in the AIDS Clinic going the extra mile for each and every client he represented. He was devoted to the public service aspect of the legal profession and was working as an Assistant Public Defender for Columbia County, New York at the time of his death. To honor Joe for his outstanding character and for his extraordinary devotion to the practice of law, a $1,500 stipend is offered to a law student who will be working in public legal service during the summer. The fellowship recipient must be in good academic standing and have any interest in and commitment to public interest service.
Other Funding Source:
The Dan Dwyer Law Fellowship Program
Established in 2001, this fellowship program provides a stipend to a law student to work as an intern in the Albany County District Attorney's Office. The intern assists in the prosecution of DWI cases. The fellowship recipient must be in good academic standing, have a demonstrated interest in criminal law, and have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a public interest career.
International Human Rights Law Stipend Program
This competitive program provides fundings of up to $2,500 per award to cover some costs of two human rights law internships undertaken outside the U.S. To be considered for awards, students applicants must be in good academic standing and planning to engage in law related work for any international institution (e.g. the United Nations), non-governmental organization (NGO) (e.g. Amnesty Internation), or governmental agency (e.g. US AID) located outside the United States which devotes the bulk of its time and efforts to human rights concerns.
Edward Cameron Jr. Public Service Fellowship
The Lyric Foundation has established this $1,000 fellowship to be awarded to a first or second year law student who will service as an intern with a legal public service provider over the summer. The fellowship recipient must be in good academic standing with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in public service.
The Marty Silverman Internship Program at the New York Legal Assistance Group
The New York Legal Assistance Group has established this fellowship in honor of Marty Silverman. This $3,500 fellowship funds a summer intern to obtain experience working with NYLAG's various public interest projects such as the Elder Law Project, The HIV Project, the Holocaust Compensation Assistance Project and the Child Advocacy Project. The Fellowship recipient must be in good academic standing and have a demonstrated interest in public service work.
Joseph C. Foiadelli Public Service Stipend
The families and friends of Joseph C. Foiadell, Esq. established a stipend in his honor in 2000. Joe was a member of Albany Law School's Class of 1997 who tragically lost his life in a car accident on November 28, 1998. Joe was a gifted student with a unique ability to befriend anyone, whatever the circumstance. He worked tirelessly in the AIDS Clinic going the extra mile for each and every client he represented. He was devoted to the public service aspect of the legal profession and was working as an Assistant Public Defender for Columbia County, New York at the time of his death.To honor Joe for his outstanding character and for his extraordinary devotion to the practice of law, a $1,500 stipend is offered to a law student who will be working in public legal service during the summer. The fellowship recipient must be in good academic standing and have any interest in and commitment to public interest service.
American University Washington College of Law
Law School Funded:
Working closely with the law school faculty and administration, American University Washington College of Law's Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) awards fellowships of $3,000 each to students taking public interest employment in their first or second summers. The EJF raises money for these fellowships through an annual auction, and the law school matches a significant portion of the monies raised.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
American University, Washington College of Law students are also eligible to apply for Equal Justice America fellowships.
Law School Funded:
None
Graduate Student Funded:
None
Other Funding Source:
None
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Barry University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
The Summer Federal Work-Study Program offers federal work-study grants to BC Law School students for summer work for eligible government agencies, public interest organizations and nonprofit organizations throughout the country. This funding is in addition to work-study grants available during the academic year. Awards are made through the Financial Aid Office. The federal government pays approximately 60% of the salary of work-study recipients, the remaining 40% is paid for by a contribution from an employer or other summer funding source. Work-study awards are based on financial need and are administered by the Financial Aid Office.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)Summer Stipend Program provides students with financial assistance to pursue public interest work during the summer. All law students who are interested in public interest legal work are eligible to apply for a PILF grant. PILF construes the definition of public interest legal work as broadly as possible in order to give applicants the opportunity to demonstrate how their employers and their particular position will benefit the public interest. PILF has funded positions with government agencies, non-profit organizations, state and federal prosecutors, public defender offices and private law firms with a public interest practice.
Funding for PILF summer stipends comes from a variety of sources: PILF fundraising, The Law School, and outside funding sources. Some of these sources have geographical or practice area restrictions. Applications will be evaluated by a committee appointed by the Public Interest Law Foundation based on two criteria: 1) the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to public interest work and 2) the extent to which the applicant’s work will benefit the public interest.
Bingham McCutchen Fellowship for Public Service: Through the PILF Summer Stipend Program, several students will be named Bingham McCutchen Fellows. Their summer stipends will be paid from a fund established at the Law School by Bingham McCutchen LLP in honor of John Curtin, to support public interest careers. Preference will be given to students working in civil rights, human rights, juvenile rights & enforcement. As part of this program, Fellows will be invited to participate in a special mentor program with Bingham McCutchen attorneys.
The Owen M. Kupferschmid Holocaust/Human Rights Summer Funding Project was established to fund students in internships that focus on international and human rights issues. Preference is given to internships in foreign countries. H/HRP is particularly interested in the development of law creating legal accountability for individuals responsible for state-sponsored or state-supported crimes or abuses, including mass murder and persecution, and human rights violations which states are unwilling or unable to prevent. However, anyone with an offer of a position in the human rights/international public interest field is encouraged to apply. The funding amount will vary according to the needs of the students, but is intended to cover the out-of-pocket travel and living expenses. It may be combined with work-study or PILF funding, and applicants are required to seek that additional funding.
BC Law students have received a number of summer public interest fellowships in past years, including Equal Justice America, Equal Justice Works, Rappaport, and Massachusetts Bar Foundation Fellowships.
Boston University School of Law
Law School Funded:
BU Law supports the fundraising efforts of the Public Interest Project Summer Fellowships.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
BU Law’s Public Interest Project (PIP) sponsors over 50 students with public interest summer internships. PIP several events throughout the academic year to raise funds for grants to support students in summer public-interest and public-service positions.
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Law School Funded:
Yes
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes
Other Funding Source:
One of the student organizations, the Public Interest Law Forum, holds an auction to raise scholarship funds for summer externship students serving in low-income client placements. Students voted to use $5 per semester of student activity fees to supplement this stipend fund. Typically, five to eight students receive Public Interest Law Forum stipends ranging from $500 to $3300 per student each summer.
Law School Funded:
Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Fellowship: Twenty competitively selected Fellows are provided a $5,000 stipend for an internship in a non-profit representing low-income communities. Fellows also participate in a substantive program consisting of public interest presentations and events.
Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest (BLSPI) Public Interest Fellowship: While this is a student run and primarily student funded public interest fellowship program, Brooklyn Law School underwrites the program at its discretion to ensure the program’s viability. More information is provided under “Other Funding” below.
Public Service Grants: Students wanting to work in non-profit and government internships are guaranteed funding to do so. Some 300 students each summer receive some combination of Federal Work Study and law school funds under these grants.
Brooklyn Law School International Human Rights Fellowships: Through this program, Brooklyn Law School sponsors two students to perform human rights work in non-profits abroad.
Brooklyn Law School Summer Program in South Africa: Eight students are competitively selected to intern at the University of South Africa’s Department on Law, Race and Gender.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
BLSPI Public Interest Fellowship Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest (BLSPI), is an entirely student run fellowship program. With financial assistance from the School and funds raised through an auction, the group makes grants to approximately 20 competitively selected public interest fellows. Fellows receive a $5,000 grant to work in either non-profit organizations or government agencies for one summer.
International Law Society’s Global Justice Fellowships: This is a student run program sponsoring two students annually to work abroad in a human rights organization. In its initial year, students were sponsored in Cambodia and South Africa.
Federal Work Study Funds
Brooklyn Law School has an extremely robust Federal Work Study program.
Other.
Assistance is provided to students by the Public Service Programs Office to obtain outside funding such as the Revson Foundation funded LSPIN grants, Equal Justice America, and many other grants funding law students working in the public interest.
California Western School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) sponsors an annual auction to raise money to fund grants for students to work in public interest law organizations during the summer.
Other Funding Source:
Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
North Carolina State Bar Plan for Interest of Lawyer's Trust Accounts (IOLTA) makes five grants at $3,000.00 each.
Law School Funded:
Capital University Law School offers a Public Service Summer Fellowship using funds raised by students through a public and silent auction each spring.
The purpose of the Public Service Summer Fellow Fund is to provide stipends to qualifying students who work during the summer at legal jobs with public interest organizations that are not otherwise able to afford summer law clerks.
The Public Service Summer Fellow Fund awards a stipend of up to $1000 for a minimum of 300 hours of work during the summer and is awarded through the Law School. The Public Service Summer Fellow Fund is finite and it may not be possible to fund all applicants. Priority will be given in the following order:- Unpaid qualifying summer clerkships.
- Low paying qualifying summer clerkships (under $10.00/hour).
- All other qualifying clerkships.
- Be a J.D. student who at the time of the summer clerkship is in good standing and is still enrolled at Capital University Law School (must not have graduated or transferred).
- Secure a position with a government body, nonprofit organization, or other entity if that entity is engaged in providing legal services to persons of limited means or to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations. Legal services may include giving legal advice or resolving a legal problem through litigation, legislation, regulation, alternative dispute resolution, and participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession, but only to the extent consistent with the ethical constraints on the authorized practice of law.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Equal Justice Works Summer Corps Program
Case Western Reserve University Law School
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Catholic University of America School of Law
Law School Funded:
Charles and Louise O'Brien Fellowships In 1995, Father Raymond O'Brien created a fellowship in memory of his grandparents Charles and Louise O'Brien. The fellowship may only be used the summer following the first year of law school. To apply for the fellowship, a student must write an essay entitled “The Interaction Between Religious Perspective and Service Within the Legal Profession.” Two fellowships are available at $4,000 each. The recipients will receive a check in the amount of $2,000 in late May and then another in early July. It is hoped that the recipients will, during the summer the awards are received, volunteer in placements related to the social justice mission presented in their application essay. Details on the O'Brien Fellowships are included in the SPIL Summer Stipend and Off-Campus Stipend Packet and are due around the same time.
Students for Public Interest Law (SPIL) Stipends Students For Public Interest Law (SPIL) spends the academic year raising money to fund stipends for law students who obtain summer public interest jobs. The number of stipends awarded depends upon the fundraising efforts of student volunteers and donations from local businesses and law firms. SPIL's primary fundraising source is its auction held every spring semester. SPIL funded twenty stipends in 2007; each stipend is $3,500. If you are interested in applying for a SPIL Stipend, you need to complete application materials in the early part of the second semester.
Eric Weissman Endowed Scholarship Fund A student who has completed the application for the SPIL stipend may also be considered for the Weissman Stipend. This summer stipend is for $3,500. Two Weissman stipends were awarded in 2007.
Plato Papps Labor Law Scholarship This program provides a $3,000 stipend for an internship in labor law during the summer following the first year of legal study. Applications are distributed by the CUA Law faculty directly to students shortly after Spring Break. The deadline will be announced with the distribution of the application forms. Papps Fellows are expected to work at their assigned internship for ten weeks, perform the tasks assigned to them, maintain a journal of their activities (maintaining client confidentiality), report by telephone to Professor Roger Hartley twice during the internship regarding the Fellow's progress, and submit a journal to Professor Hartley at the conclusion of the internship. Fellows will be paid one-half of the summer stipend near the beginning of the internship and the remainder half way through the internship.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Patton Boggs LLP Public Policy Fellowship Using the attorney’s fees earned from a successful pro bono case won by John Oberdorfer, Patton Boggs, LLP established the Patton Boggs Foundation to commemorate the retirement of founding partner James R. Patton, Jr. The Foundation annually grants Public Policy Fellowships to exceptional law students (one of whom is a CUA student) who spend their summers working on public policy matters for a non-profit institution or a government agency. The student must have been offered a position or be under serious consideration for a summer position doing policy work. The summer position need not be in the Washington, D.C., area. The stipend is $5,000. For more information, contact Hilary Bednarz in the Office of Legal Career Services.
Chapman University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Approximately 3 fellowships are available per year at $3000 each. Funding is provided through the student-run Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF). PILF conducts fundraising, particularly through an annual silent auction, to support the program.
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
City University of New York Law at Queens College
Law School Funded:
Yes
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes
Other Funding Source:
Funds are raised by an auction conducted by the student run Public Interest Law Asssociation (PILA). In addition, various public interest fellowships for summer public interest jobs have been established through gifts made by individuals or law firms. They include: Haywood Burns Summer Fellowship; Bruce Wright Summer fellowship (police brutality); the Community Legal Resource Network Fellowship; the O'Dwyer Fellowships; Joseph Doherty Civil Rights Fellowship; Charles Mendelsohn Memorial Fellowship; CUNY Public Interest Fellowship; Shelley Cao Public Interest Fellowship.
Summer Funding is also provided through federal work study funds.
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law
Law School Funded:
Money in the law school budget and an endowment are earmarked for summer fellowships. The University provides an allocation comparable to Work/Study funding.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The William & Mary Public Service Fund, a student organization, raises money for summer fellowships.
Pinter Fellowships: annual funding for positions involving LGBT or AIDS/HIV issues
Virginia Law Foundation: annual grant for positions in Virginia
Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Section: annual allocation for criminal law positions in Virginia
Christopher Wren Association: annual allocation - all public interest positions eligible
Columbia University School of Law
Law School Funded:
About 130 fellowships available to CLS students for summer public interest work through the Human Rights Internship Program (70), the Public Service Fellowship Program (40), Public Interest Law Initiative Fellowships (6); the Arts Law Internships (10) and others. Human Rights Internship Program (HRIP) and Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellowships who are first year law students receive about $4000 (amount dependent on location) and second year HRIPs receive $6000. HRIPs who go abroad also receive a round-trip plane ticket. A few first year HRIPs who have no or little financial need receive smaller stipends. Arts Law Fellows receive $3800. Public Service Fellows receive about $3800, of which 60% is paid by the Law School and 40% is matching funds from another source. Funding for stipends comes from private and foundation donations and, in appropriate instances, from federal work study allocations to the University.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF), Columbia's Equal Justice Work's chapter, provides Student Funded Fellowships. The number of these fellowships varies with the success of PILFs fund-raising efforts, but there usually are about 15-20. Some match the Public Service Fellowships and others provide full stipends. Funds are raised through an annual dinner, an annual auction, an annual Dean's Cup basketball game between CLS and NYU, a Donated Day's Salary drive, small private grants and membership of students, faculty and administrators.
Other Funding Source:
Columbia Law School guarantees public interest summer funding to all second year students and funds the large majority of first year students who apply. (In 2006, CLS funded every student who applied to the summer funding programs). The funding comes from many sources, including in appropriate cases federal work study money, law school hard money, foundation grants, private donors, law firm donors, and student fundraising, and is distributed through a number of fellowship programs administered by the Center for Public Interest Law.
The biggest summer funding programs are the 2L Guaranteed Funding Program, the Human Rights Internship Program, the Public Service Fellowship Program and the Arts Law Fellowship Program. Together these programs can fund over 150 students per summer.
Second year students receive $6,000 for the summer. First year Human Rights Interns receive a stipend ranging from about $3000 to $5500, dependending on the country in which they will work, plus a round trip plane ticket to their international internship location. Domestic interns receive $4200. Public Service Fellows receive $4200 if they are fully funded and $1600 if they are partially funded. Most students are fully funded because they have been matched by their employer, or have received a matching grant from Columbia. (In 2006, all PSF's were fully funded).
Arts Law Fellowships allow 8-10 Columbia students to receive $4200 to intern in the General Counsel's offices of various arts and entertainment placements throughout the country.
Additional fellowship programs include funds specifically for public interest internships in environmental law, animal rights, human rights in Israel, in Japan, and through several private partnerships (see other).
Student fundraising is coordinated by the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF), a student group which raises money through an annual dinner, an annual auction, an annual Dean's Cup basketball game between CLS and NYU, a Donated Day's Salary Drive, and small private grants and membership of students, faculty and administrators.
Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian pays a second year Columbia student $1000 per week to serve as a summer associate at this public interest law firm in Oakland, California.
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood created the Public Interest Summer Fellowship in which a Columbia 2L spends one half of the summer as an associate at the firm and the other half at an NYC public interest organization of the fellow's choice. The associate is compensated at the firm's summer associate rate.
Morrison & Foerster Public Interest Fellowships In Japan enable two first year students to receive $15,000 each for a 10-week summer internship at a public interest organization or ministry in Japan.
Public Interest Fellowships in Israel enable two first year students to receive $7,500 each to spend 10 weeks of the summer working at a human rights organization in Israel.
Environmental Law Fellowships allow two first year students to work at an organization of their choice on environmental law or environmental justice issues in the U.S. or abroad and receive automatic acceptance to the Environmental Law Clinic.
For additional information, contact Akua Akyea, Associate Director at 212/854-3247 or aakyea@law.columbia.edu
Law School Funded:
2Ls. The grants are funded by a combination of student fundraising through our law student Public Interest Law Union, work-study grants and faculty and alumni contributions. The full-time grant for summer 2005 is anticipated to be $4,000 for 1Ls and $5,000 for 2Ls. The Assistant Dean for Public Service assists students with securing funding from a number of state and national public interest fellowship programs each year, including the New Jersey Public Interest Summer Legal Intern Program, Law Student Union Summer/AFL-CIO, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), and the Revson Public Interest Fellowship Program and the Peggy Browning Fund.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Included in the "student raised funds" category is money raised from the PIF Cabaret and the Give-A-Day in the Public Interest events. Much of the money raised in the "Gifts from individuals, Firms or Corporations" comes in through our phone-a-thon and mail-a-thon, which are staffed by student volunteers, with support from our Development Office.
Fund By Gift Description:
A total of 67 summer Public Interest Fellowship (PIF) grants were awarded. Twenty grants of $5,000 went to 2Ls, and 47 grants of $4,000 whent to 1Ls. Every student who devoted at least 10 hours to fundraising activities received a grant if they took a qualifying unpaid summer job. Qualifying employers are nonprofit organizations, government agencies. Public interest law firms are considered on a case by case basis. Judicial internships are not included.
Creighton University School of Law
Law School Funded:
20 – 25 students funded yearly with funding provided by student fund raisers and the law school
Graduate Student Funded:
Two-three summer fellowships.
Other Funding Source:
Twenty-forty summer fellowships (University work-study funds).
DePaul University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Pusateri Fellowship
The Pusateri Fellowship is part of a larger grant to the College of Law by the family of the late DePaul alum Lawrence Pusateri. It is dedicated to the facilitation of working in public service.
Other Funding Source:
DePaul offers a number of summer funding opportunities for students dedicated to public service.
Sonnenschein Summer Scholars
The law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP selects two Sonnenschein Scholars each year to receive a $4000 summer stipend to help underwrite their work with a public interest agency of their choice.
Cudahy Fellowship
The Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund, a foundation which supports social service, youth, and
educational organizations, has awarded several summer fellowships to students choosing to
work the summer after their first year at a public interest agency of their choice.
Public Interest Law Association (PILA) Stipends
Every year, DePaul’s student-run Public Interest Law Association hosts a benefit auction to raise funds for summer stipends to support students interested in working in public interest law for the summer. Stipends enable students to work at non-profit legal organizations. For the past three years, PILA has been able to provide about 10 stipends a year to DePaul public-interest law students.
Drake University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Since 1997, the law school has secured grant funding to support a Summer Poverty Law internship. This grant provides paid internship opportunities for nine Drake law students in 2005 with Legal Services Corporation offices in Iowa and with local and state agencies representing children in need of assistance. In the summer of 2005, interns had full-time work (400 hr.) at $15 per hour. The internship qualifies under the Iowa Supreme Court Student Practice Rule as law school-supervised academic experiences because of faculty supervision; however, because students are paid through grant funds, the students do not receive academic credit. In addition, for more than ten years, the Law School has committed scholarship funds to support summer public interest internships. For the summer of 2005, the law school authorized scholarship funding to support four externships and three Legal Clinic Howard Fellows internships. The externships permit work in a range of public interest programs anywhere in U.S.
On June 19 the Iowa Supreme Court awarded $52,000 in IOLTA grant funds to the Drake and University of Iowa Law Schools (split equally) to support the Summer Poverty Law Program for FY 2007. This grant serves as the “match” for the Federal Work Study funds. In the summer of 2007, eleven Drake Law School interns will have full-time work at $15 per hour for seven weeks with Legal Services Corporation offices in Iowa, and many of these internships will continue during the academic year. Another half dozen Drake law students participated in similar paid summer 2007 internships with the Iowa Attorney General and other public service agencies funded through the Federal Work Study monies.
In addition to the federal work study funds secured by the school, the Law School's, Agricultural Law Center secured federal funds that supported an additional eight interns with stipends of $2,500.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Poverty Law internship. This grant provides paid internship opportunities for nine Drake law students in 2005 with Legal Services Corporation offices in Iowa and with local and state agencies representing children in need of assistance. In the summer of 2005, interns had full-time work (400 hr.) at $15 per hour. The internship qualifies under the Iowa Supreme Court Student Practice Rule as law school-supervised academic experiences because of faculty supervision; however, because students are paid through grant funds, the students do not receive academic credit. In addition, for more than ten years, the Law School has committed scholarship funds to support summer public interest internships. For the summer of 2005, the law school authorized scholarship funding to support four externships and three Legal Clinic Howard Fellows internships. The externships permit work in a range of public interest programs anywhere in U.S.
Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and the Associate Director for Public Interest Programs work closely with the Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO) to provide a strong foundation for our students who are interested in pursuing careers in public interest law. We have created a summer grant program for students taking unpaid public interest summer internships, subsidizing a significant portion of the student-run PIE Grant Auction (Public Interest Experience), and matching monies raised at the auction.
In addition, the University offers work study packages for students taking unpaid summer positions in eligible government agencies, public interest organizations, and nonprofit organizations. This funding is in addition to work-study grants available during the academic year. By working with the CPDO to maximize these work study funds, we are able to offer larger summer grants to offset students’ summer expenses while working in unpaid public interest summer internships.
Graduate Student Funded:
The PIE Grant Board (Public Interest Experience) sponsors an annual auction to raise money to fund grants for students who take unpaid public interest summer internships.
Other Funding Source:
The Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III Summer Law Fellowship– This Fellowship is designed to support a student with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in local government service. The Fellowship, which provides a stipend of $10,000 for the summer, was created and named in honor of Tobey Oxholm, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff of Drexel University. Prior to joining Drexel, Tobey practiced law in Philadelphia for 22 years, including distinguished service with the Office of the Philadelphia City Solicitor where he served as Chief Deputy City Solicitor for Commercial Claims.
Other– Drexel Law also counsels students regarding summer fellowship opportunities and offers resources to help students identify summer fellowships and awards.
Law School Funded:
Burdman/Steckley/Weitzel fellowships, which are funded through endowments of over $200,000 from the three donors named. The number and amount of the fellowships vary each year based on the amount on endowment interest available. In 2002, three fellowships of $3500 were awarded.
The Law School also contributes $10,000 to the student fund-raising effort.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) raises funds. For the summer of 2001, approximately $40,000 was raised, and $50,000 was distributed (including the Law School supplement of $10,000.)
Other Funding Source:
The student group Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) raises funds through an auction, gear sales and other means. The Law School contributes $10,000 to the student fund-raising effort.
The sources of funds from individuals, firms or corporations in 2004-2005 are: three fellowship endowments of over $100,000 each jointly called the Burdman/Steckley-Weitzel/Carroll-Simon Fellowships. The number and amount of the fellowships vary each year based on the amount on endowment interest available. The Howrey law firm, based in Houston, Texas sponsors a $5,000 fellowship. Two members of the Class of 2004 gave funds to support fellowships in developing countries, and it is called the International Development Fellowship.
IOLTA (through the NC State Bar) provided three fellowships of $3000 each for the summer of 2005. These fellowships are for work at designated agencies or organizations in North Carolina. (Most years, five are provided.) The Stanback Fellowship (provided through the Nicholas School for the Environment) provides 40 or more fellowships of $4,000 to Duke Law students (as well as to students in other departments) who are placed with designated environmental organizations. Six students received these in the summer of 2005.
Duquesne University School of Law
Law School Funded:
When IOLTA and PILA funds are not adequate to cover all qualified applicants, the Law School has traditionally assisted by funding at least partial awards for students.
Graduate Student Funded:
An alumnus funds one award for a student working at the ACLU.
The Law Alumni Association funds one award.
Other Funding Source:
Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program. More information about Summer Public Interest Fellowships funded with IOLTA monies can be found at http://www.sites.duq.edu/law/clinics/fellowships.cfm.
Additional Summer Public Interest Fellowships are funded with monies raised by the Law School’s Public Interest Law Association (PILA).
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Emory University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Yes.
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes
Other Funding Source:
Fellowships are funded through outside contributions solicited by students from individuals, firms and corporations and are matched by the Law School.
Also, the Emory Summer Child Advocacy Program that places students in child advocacy offices in Georgia is 100% funded by federal grants under the Childrens' Justice Act.
Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Florida A&M University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. provides an annual paid Summer Public Service Fellowship.
The Florida Bar Foundation-sponsored 2002 Legal Services Summer Fellowship provides a $5,000 stipend for a FCSL student to work at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid during summer 2002.
Other Funding Source:
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. provides an annual paid Summer Public Service Fellowship.
The Florida Bar Foundation-sponsored 2002 Legal Services Summer Fellowship provides a $5,000 stipend for a FCSL student to work at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid during summer 2002.
Florida International University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Florida State University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Florida Bar Foundation Public Service Fellowship Fund supports stipends of $3,500 (approximately 4-6 awards annually).
Fordham University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Yes
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Coalition organizes a charity auction every year to fund students who are working in the public interest over the summer.
Other Funding by Gifts:
Lexis-Nexis $3,500
Orr & Reno $3,500
The NH Bar Foundation $3,500
The Cindy Lonergan Memorial Fund $1,750
George Mason University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
George Washington University Law School
Law School Funded:
The Law School awards approximately 30 stipends, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 in cash or tuition remission. Yearly funding totals nearly $100,000, and funds come from a combination of school and private funds.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Law School's Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) Chapter holds an auction each Spring to provide funding for summer public interest subsidies. In 2001, EJF provided a total of $20,000 to 10 students.
Other Funding Source:
The J.B. & Maurice C. Shapiro Public Service Awards are offered through the University Office of Fellowships and Graduate Student Support. These awards, for which law student are eligible, are for $5,000 in tuition remission. Six or seven of these awards are provided each year. In 2001, two law students received awards.
For further information, see www.law.gwu.edu/Resources/Public+Interest+and+Pro+Bono/Financial+Assistance/Summer+Subsidies.htm
Georgetown University Law Center
Law School Funded:
Through its public interest student group, the Equal Justice Foundation, Georgetown offers approximately 70 summer public interest fellowships each year. The fellowships are funded through a sizable donation from the school as well as student-run fundraising activities such as a fall auction. In addition, Public Interest Law Scholars receive one summer stipend, and the Office of Public Interest and Community Service coordinates summer fellowships for second-year students as funding allows.
Graduate Student Funded:
Through a generous alumni donation, Georgetown each summer funds 10 upperclass students to do civil or criminal direct service work with a non-profit organization.
Other Funding Source:
Through a combination of these sources, Georgetown was able to fund 121 students during summer 2005. Our student-run fellowship program is one of the largest in the country, and routinely raises more than $150,000 annually. The student fundraising is complemented by a substantial law school contribution, as well as federal work-study money.
Georgia State University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Golden Gate University School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Law School provides $5,000 of salary assistance to all Public Interest and Environmental Law Scholars doing unpaid public interest summer internships.
The Law School also pays the employer's portion of work-study for students who are working full-time in the summer (or fall, for Honors Lawyering Program students) for public interest employers who are unable to pay them.
Graduate Student Funded:
None
Other Funding Source:
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) Grants: PILF organizes an annual auction, the proceeds of which are used to fund summer grants for students working at public interest organizations or government agencies. These grants may be used in conjunction with other funding. The number and amount of grants vary, depending on the amount of money raised each year. In Summer 2009, 12 grants were awarded for a total of $30,000.
Gonzaga University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes.
Other Funding Source:
The Gonzaga Center for Law and Justice, "The Clinic," makes work study stipends (paid at a rate of $12.00/hour)available to students who are work study qualified and who commit to a two semester sequence in the General Public Interest Practice Clinic.
Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project awards summer stipends to students working in public service projects in the U.S. and abroad.
Hamline University School of Law
Law School Funded:
The student chapter of MJF annually raises money to support 1 to 3 clerkships at $4000 each. Hamline contributes a portion of another summer clerkship annually through its budget and Hamline uses federal work study funds to support other students working in public interest positions.
During the summer of 2009, the law school offered an additional 11 Dean’s Summer Fellowships to provide students with opportunities to clerk with judges and observe the legal process from the inside. The Fellowships came with small stipends.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
(Mid-Minnesota Legal Services or) Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), in cooperation with Hamline University School of Law, sponsors the Mansfield Fellowship.
The following criteria are considered:- Commitment to community work;
- An interest in a career in legal services;
- Ability to work well as part of a team;
- A preference (but not an absolute advantage) is given to those students who have taken poverty-law related substantive courses and/or clinics;
- A preference (but not an absolute advantage) is given to people of color;
- A preference (but not an absolute advantage) is given to those students who come from poverty backgrounds and low-income families.
This program is for 1L or 2L students, the clerkship is for 10 weeks in the summer, and the clerk receives a $6500 stipend.
Law School Funded:
Harvard Law School guarantees summer funding to all students who work in public interest jobs for at least 10 weeks over the summer. The Summer Public Interest Funding Program is administered by the Student Financial Services office using money allocated by the Dean, Federal Work Study funds, and money raised through the student run Public Interest Auction.
SPIF awarded funds to 363 students who worked in 31 states and 31 foreign countries over the summer of 2005. The awards included $943,695 in SPIF grants (which include funds allocated by the dean and $126,000 raised through the Public Interest Auction) as well as an additional $700,582 in Federal Work Study funds.
In addition to these sources of funding, there is also supplemental funding available through Harvard Law School for those students who qualify and apply. Over the summer of 2005 students received a total of $109,000 in supplemental funds.
http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/finaid/sumfund/
Graduate Student Funded:
None
Other Funding Source:
These funds are all used as a supplement to Summer Public Interest Funding; further information may be found at: http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/finaid/sumfund/sfsuppfunds.php
Chayes Fellowship - $50,400 (23 recipients in 2005)
Cleary, Gottleib, Steen & Hamilton Fellowship - $3,000 (1 recipient)
Dewey Ballantine- $6,600 (1 recipient)
Heyman Summer Internship - $17,500 (35 recipients in 2005)
Lewis Fellowship - $2,000 (4 recipients in 2005)
Sutin Fellowship - $1,300 (2 recipients in 2005)
Vorenberg Fellowship - $8,450 (13 recipients in 2005)
These funds are all used as a supplement to Summer Public Interest Funding; further information may be found at: http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/finaid/sumfund/sfsuppfunds.php
Alumni Fellowship - $4,500 awarded by various alumni groups (3 recipients in 2005)
Human Rights Fellowships - $15,250 awarded through the Human Rights program at Harvard Law School (16 recipients in 2005)
For further information, see http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/finaid/sumfund/
Hofstra University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Child and Family Advocacy Fellows receive $5,000 summer stipends each of their summers.
http://law.hofstra.edu/JDAdmissions/FellowshipsAndScholarships/CFA/index.html
LGBT Fellows receive $5,000 summer stipends each of their summers.
http://law.hofstra.edu/JDAdmissions/FellowshipsAndScholarships/LGBT/index.html
The Unemployment Action Center (UAC) is a non-profit, student-run corporation that offers free advice and representation to persons denied unemployment benefits. During the summer, full-time summer advocates are hired by the law school through on-campus work-study positions.
Graduate Student Funded:
Hofstra's Public Justice Foundation (PJF) raises money each year to provide summer stipends to students working in the public sector. If both a PJF Fellow and his/her placement are work-study eligible, the PJF Fellowship will be supplemented by federal work study and substantially increase the amount of money received by the PJF Fellow.
Other Funding Source:
Howard University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Howard awards three summer fellowships/stipends, which are funded through the Dean's office.
Graduate Student Funded:
This varies, depending on fundraising.
Other Funding Source:
Periodically, entities will partner with Howard Law and provide stipends for public interest work during the summer.
Illinois Institute of Technology: Chicago-Kent College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Kent Justice Foundation Approximately 10 students receive grants from the student-run Kent Justice Foundation, ranging from $500-$4500 for ten weeks of public interest work in the summer. This fundraising is supported through a student-run spring auction and a fall wine event, as well as additional support from the Faculty, the Student Bar Association, and the Dean.
Society of Women in Law This student group provides a summer fellowship to one or more students engaged in public interest work every summer.
The Public Interest Law Initiative, a nonprofit agency in Chicago that awards funding to students working in public interest positions in Chicago, offers a number of term-time stipends to students from the law schools located in Chicago. Students at Chicago-Kent College of Law have received these stipends on various occasions. The amount of the stipend is $4,500 in the summer.
Equal Justice America awards students up to $3,500 for summer public interest work. Chicago-Kent students can receive this funding.
Equal Justice Works offers $1000 summer grants to students involved in public interest work over the summer. As a member of Equal Justice Works, Chicago-Kent students can receive this funding.
Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (student group) hold an annual "Singing for Summer Salaries" fundraiser. Monies raised are matched by law school funds.
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Equal Justice Works student group awards summer scholarships to students who have accepted social justice positions with no pay. The amounts vary based on the amount of funds raised during the school year.
Florence Roisman Summer Scholarship - named in honor of a current professor who advocates for social justice. Donations are made by faculty and administrators around the country in her honor.
Inter American University of Puerto Rico: Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
John Marshall Law School – Atlanta
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Lewis & Clark College School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Annual PILP Auction and Law School donation (money raised from students, alumni, friends, and the Law School). Approximately $50,000 per year raised, allowing 17-20 summer students to be awarded. The full-time summer stipends (40 hours for 10 weeks) are typically $4000 per student.
Liberty University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
For the summer of 2005, the Virginia State Bar/Criminal Law Division gave a stipend to a Liberty University law student to work in a prosecutorial office. For the summer of 2006, the Department of Criminal Justice Services in the Commonwealth of Virginia gave a stipend to a Liberty University law student to work in any juvenile court in Virginia. For the summer of 2007, Equal Justice America gave a fellowship for a student to work in a public interest law firm. For the summer of 2008, the Virginia Law Foundation will give a stipend to a minimum of three students working in public service internships.
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Loyola Law School: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Law School Funded:
Summer Public Interest Employment Program (SPIEP)
Loyola Law School's federal work-study program supports 70 students (60 in public interest, 10 in government positions) working at local non-profits and government agencies. Currently, the maximum amount a student can earn on a summer work-study contract is $3,500.
PILF - Public Interest Law Foundation Grant The student run Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) offers supplemental funding for SPIEP applicants ranging from $1,000-$2,000. Fellows will be expected to work at least 300 hours at their approved public interest organization.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
PILF - Public Interest Law Foundation Grant - The student run Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) offers supplemental funding for SPIEP applicants ranging from $1,000-$2,000. Fellows will be expected to work at least 300 hours at their approved public interest organization.
Loyola University Chicago: Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Society (PILS), the student public interest organization, raises money each year to provide stipends for students working in unpaid summer positions in public service. The number and amount of the awards varies from year to year depending on fundraising and the number of applicants.
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Society (PILS), the student public interest organization, raises money each year to provide stipends for students working in unpaid summer positions in public service. The number and amount of the awards varies from year to year depending on fundraising and the number of applicants.
Consumer Antitrust Studies - These fellowships are for students to work in the antitrust or consumer protection fields with government or public interest organizations.
International Law Scholarships - These scholarships are for students who work in non-profit international organizations.
Loyola University New Orleans: Loyola University New Orleans School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Gillis Long Poverty Law Center places students for ten weeks in Legal Services Offices, awarding stipends of $4,000 with additional allowance for travel. The Center places approximately 25 students at an approximate total cost of $96,000.
Marquette University Law School
Law School Funded:
Each year, the Public Interest Law Society holds a dinner and auction which raised funds for summer fellowships which is matched by the Dean of the Law School. Last year over $60,000 was raised to support over a dozen summer fellows who worked in diverse placements such as the South African Violence and Reconciliation Office, the Eritrean Boundary and Claims Commission, the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, the Christian Freedom Foundation and the Dane County (Madison) District Attorney's Office.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Mercer University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Dan Bradley Legal Services Fellowship: Funded by the law school and Georgia Legal Services, this fellowship enables second-year students to work for the Macon Office of Georgia Legal Services for a 10-week period during the summer.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
-
Dan Bradley Legal Services Fellowship: Funded by the law school and Georgia Legal Services, this fellowship enables second-year students to work for the Macon Office of Georgia Legal Services for a 10-week period during the summer.
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Internship Program: Funded by Georgia CASA through outside grants, this program places 1Ls & 2Ls as interns in offices of Court Appointed Special Advocates. Through this program, law students advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Michigan State University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Mississippi College: Mississippi College School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
New England School of Law: New England School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Association awards grants to a select number of students who will by working in low- or non-paying public interest related legal jobs in the summer.
New York Law School: New York Law School
Law School Funded:
Yes
Graduate Student Funded:
Yes.
Other Funding Source:
Yes- federal work-study funding
The Law School awards from 40 to 70 summer fellowship to students working in otherwise unpaid public interest positions. The funding comes from the law school's operating funds, money raised through student efforts, and the federal work-study program. In addition, non-fellowship students working in public interest positions receive funding from the federal work-study program. Student raised funds come from the annual Public Interest Coalition Goods and Services auction.
Fund By Gift Descriptions:
- Media Law Fellowships
- Arthur and Diane Abbey U.S. Attorney's Office Fellowships
- Diane Abbey Poverty Law Fellowship
- Joseph Solomon Public Service Fellowships
New York University: New York University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Since 2003, through the Public Interest Summer Program, NYU has provided funding for all first-year and second-year students who work in public interest and government positions; approximately 300 students participate in this program each summer. Within this Program are two specialized opportunities. The first is the Center for Environmental and Land Use Law, which supports students interested in environmental law through summer internships, mentoring by the Schools’ environmental and land use faculty, and exposure to leading practitioners in the field. The second, the International Law and Human Rights Student Fellows Program, places students in about a dozen high-profile international organizations, including the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in Tanzania; the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Switzerland and Thailand; and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Cambodia.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Sidley, Austin, Brown & Wood Public Interest Internship – one paid by the law firm at New York firm market rates.
North Carolina Central University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The IOLTA Public Service Summer Stipend supports first and second year students who secure a summer position with a North Carolina public interest law organization or agency that is on the list of approved IOLTA placements (these include legal aid agencies and public defender’s offices but not judicial clerkships or other government agencies, including prosecutor’s offices). Students must work full-time for at least 10 weeks. The stipends are funded by a grant from the NC State Bar's IOLTA Program.
The NCCU Law Public Interest/Judicial Clerkship Stipend supports first and second year students who secure a summer position as intern for a public interest organization or clerk for a judge. The judge or organization can be of the student’s choice and can be located outside North Carolina. Students must work full-time for at least 6 weeks, or part-time for 12 weeks. The stipends are funded by a Federal grant.
Northeastern University: Northeastern University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
During the most recent fiscal year, Northeastern awarded almost $530,000 in stipend assistance to support students undertaking public interest co-ops. The money came from a variety of sources including law school budget, federal work-study, and gifts from individuals, foundations and firms.In addition, $13,400 in student generated funds were used to support students doing public interest legal internships.
Northern Illinois University: Northern Illinois University College of Law
Law School Funded:
The PILS chapter holds an annual auction to raise funds for summer stipends for students who accept positions in the public sector. The amount and number of stipends depends on the total amount raised and the number of applications.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The PILS chapter holds an annual auction to raise funds for summer stipends for students who accept positions in the public sector. The amount and number of stipends depends on the total amount raised and the number of applications.
Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Law School Funded:
The Chase Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program was established in 2006 by the law school with the generous support of the Honorable S. Arthur and Louise Spiegel, Chase students, faculty and friends. The Chase Public Interest Group raises funds to support the fellowship program through a silent auction and with other fundraising events
.The goal of the Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program is to provide Chase students with modest grants to work at unpaid public interest law positions. Students who are funded through the summer fellowship program typically receive a grant of $2,500. These grants assume a 350 hour minimum volunteer commitment to the public interest position.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Summer Public Interest Fellowships ($3,500 for ten weeks) have in past years been funded by a grant from the Kentucky Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Fund.
Northwestern University: Northwestern University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
The Student Funded Public Interest Fellowship (SFPIF) awards the Len Rubinowitz Public Interest Fellowships to students working at public interest organizations during the summer. Full grants are generally $4,500 and partial grants may also be awarded. The number of fellowships varies from year to year. The fellowships are funded by a combination of donations from students, faculty, administrators, alumni, law school funds, and a number of fundraising events.
Other Funding Source:
The Stevens Fellowships are awarded to Northwestern Law students for summer work at the public interest employer of their choice. The fellowships are funded by former law clerks of Justice Stevens to honor his devotion to public service and to encourage students to obtain public interest jobs. Generally, two to four awards are given, in the amount of $5,000 each.
Each year, the school selects two Mansfield Fellows to work at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Mansfield Fellows receive $6,500 for a ten-week period. These fellowships are funded by the Mansfield Foundation, the Legal Assistance Foundation, and the law school.
The Chicago chapter of the Federal Bar Association provides funding for two Lefkow Fellowships for Northwestern Law students to work in public interest jobs in the summer. The fellowships are in honor of the life and work of Michael Lefkow, who worked as a public interest lawyer for many years in Chicago. The fellowships provide funding of $5,000 for the summer.
The law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal through its Sonnenschein Scholars Program sponsors students to work at the public interest organization of their choosing, including two students from Northwestern Law. Students are paid $4,000 for the summer.
The law firm of Howrey LLP through its Howrey HELPS program selects first year students from a number of law schools, including Northwestern, to work in a public interest organization in the city in which they attend law school. The compensation is $5,000 for the summer.
Notre Dame: Notre Dame Law School
Law School Funded:
6-12 students funded yearly ($2500-4500), with funding provided by student fund raisers and $25,000 provided by the law school.
Graduate Student Funded:
6-12 students funded yearly ($2500-4500), with funding provided by student fund raisers and $25,000 provided by the law school.
Other Funding Source:
6-10 yearly ($3000-4500), with funding provided by Notre Dame alumni in various geographic regions.
Nova Southeastern University: Shepard Broad Law Center
Law School Funded:
Public Service Summer Fellowship -The school awards five $1000 fellowships for students who are volunteering at government agencies.
Feinrider Summer Fellowship for International Human Rights - the school awards at least $1000 to one or more students who are volunteering in the area of international human rights.
http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/career/pilc/fellowships.cfm
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Rebecca Knox Public Interest Law Summer Fellowship-Funded through proceeds from the annual Public Interest Law Society Auction, this fellowship provides stipends of at least $1500 to students who volunteer with Legal Aid or similar non-profit organizations.
Ohio Northern Claude W. Pettit College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) fellows are selected by PILF membership annually for summer stipends to work in the public interest and public sector. http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/pilf.
Oklahoma City University: Oklahoma City University School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Dean’s Summer Pro Bono and Public Interest Law Fellowships are annually funded and awarded to students who secure pro bono and public interest law positions that otherwise would not be funded or would receive modest wages. Recent fellows worked at the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, the Missouri State Public Defender’s Trial Division, the Osage County DA’s Office, the Roger Mills and Ellis County DA’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Environment, Transportation and Public Works, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, the Native American Domestic Violence Program, Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Catholic Charities, the Colorado Springs Public Defender’s Office, the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, and the New York Legal Assistance Group.
The Professional Career and Development Center coordinates the application process and monitors progress reports of participating students.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Group funds summer fellowships to students who secure pro bono or public interest law positions.
Law School Funded:
The Law School provided approximately $3500 in contributions towards work-study salaries for students working in public interest positions that were not otherwise funded.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
PILSO raised over $20,000 to support 11 students during their summer placements at offices including Bronx Family Court, the Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Defense, IUCN, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Cherie T. Millage Summer Fellowship Program sponsored by Dickinson Law PILF is awarded to students who obtain volunteer summer jobs in public interest law.
Federal Work study money combined with PHEAA money funded 12 students in public interest positions.
IOLTA funding for students working in Legal Services offices throughout PA.
http://www.dsl.psu.edu/groups/pilf.cfm
Pepperdine University: Odell McConnell Law Center
Law School Funded:
Micheal Bidart Summer Stipend made available through endowed funding. Students selected and money disbursed through the Clinical Education Programs Office.
Tuition waivers totaling approximately $23,000 are granted to students working at public interest agencies during the summer.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Advocates for Public Interest Law raise funds through an student run auction. Administration matches the funds raised. Money given to students for summer pro bono work.
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Public Interest Law Project (PILP) Student organized fund raiser to provide funds for summer public interest work positions.
Regent University: School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Office of Career & Alumni Services receives $12,000 annually to distribute to students working during the summer in public interest law. Students must submit a formal application and are selected through a competitive process.
Graduate Student Funded:
Through PILAR (Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent- Student Organization).
Other Funding Source:
Regent Law School receives $9,000 annually from the Virginia Law Foundation annually to distribute to students working during the summer in public interest law. Students must submit a formal application and are selected through a competitive process.
Roger Williams University: School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Law School and University provided $61,500 in 2007 for public interest summer stipends. This program began in Summer 2000. Students find a public interest summer placement and apply through a competitive process for a stipend.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Association of Public Interest Law contributed funds toward the summer stipend program by raising money at an annual auction. The 2007 winter auction raised approximately $18,000.
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Center for Law and Justice (Newark)
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey School of Law, Camden
Law School Funded:
APIL (Association of Public Interest Law) raises money through its Annual Auction and uses the proceeds to pay stipends for students engaging in public interest work over the summer. The Dean uses law school funds to match all bids over $100.00. The law school also provides 50 work/study slots, and pays the "match" for area public interest positions.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Saint John's University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Saint Louis University: Saint Louis University School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Law School funds ten summer fellowships.
Graduate Student Funded:
Students fund ten summer fellowships.
Other Funding Source:
The Irvin and Maggie Dagen Public Interest Fellowships are awarded to law students who are committed to working in public interest law. The fellowships are funded by the School of Law, the Public Interest Law Group, and the Irvin and Maggie Dagen Fellowship Fund. The fellowship stipends will go to students who obtain volunteer positions with public interest organizations for the summer, including government offices, whose work entails serving the underrepresented and/or ensuring justice in our society. Examples of past employers of fellowship recipients include Legal Services, the Office of the Public Defenders, the EEOC, numerous prosecuting attorneys' offices, HUD and the ACLU. This year, fellowships will have a maximum value of $2500.
For more information, see http://law.slu.edu/organizations/pilg/fellowship.html
Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio: St. Mary’s University of San Antonio School of Law
Law School Funded:
Border Assistance Project
Public Defender Externships (stipend).
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Saint Thomas University: St. Thomas University School of Law (FL)
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Professional Opportunities Program
St. Thomas and law firm-funded stipends are awarded to first-year African-American law students to work with judges. Approximately 20-30 six-week stipends are awarded each summer.
Samford University: Cumberland School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Some summer fellowships are funded through a foundation grant
Santa Clara University: Santa Clara University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Public Interest Endowment
Stipends will be awarded to provide grants to currently enrolled students at Santa Clara University School of Law who accept summer jobs which are either volunteer or low- paying and meet the employment eligibility criteria of the Income Supplement Plan. Recipients will be selected according to criteria adopted by the Executive Board, including commitment to public interest activities, career objectives, law school service, academic achievement, and financial need.
Seattle University: Seattle University School of Law
Law School Funded:
In 2004-2005, up to 10 students received summer stipends (approximately $30,000 was awarded in summer stipends). The money was raised by PILF (Public Interest Law Foundation) and matched by the Law School.
Graduate Student Funded:
In 2002, up to 10 students received summer stipends (approximately $30,000 was awarded in summer stipends). The money was raised by PILF (Public Interest Law Foundation) and matched by the Law School.
Other Funding Source:
Seton Hall University: Seton Hall University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Each Public Interest Fellowship award is approximately $4000.00 for a ten-week placement. Fellowships typically combine federal work-study funds with private funds raised through the annual public interest auction. If the Fellow does not qualify for work-study, other arrangements will be made, so long as funds are available.
Students working in government placements may receive funding if the employer pays 25% of the work-study salary.
South Texas College: South Texas College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Joseph R. Bartylak Public Interest Fellowships
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Southern University Law Center
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Southwestern University: Southwestern Law School
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Student Public Interest Law Committee coordinates and sponsors the annual Public Interest Law Week that raises money to award students summer grants to work with nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost assistance to low income or underserved communities.
In addition, Southwestern awards several Silbert Public Interest Fellowships each year. This Fellowship Program permits students who are selected as Silbert Public Interest Fellows to receive grants that enable them to work and gain legal experience at nonprofit organizations. Southwestern also offers a Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Issues (GLBT) Fellowship that funds students to work in a legal setting that serves the GLBT population.
Law School Funded:
Every summer, the Law School awards 70-75 summer public interest $5,000 fellowships. These fellowships are funded by Stanford Law School, Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation and federal work-study funds. Stanford Law School guarantees these fellowships to all students with financial need who plan to work in a nonprofit or government summer position.
The Lisa M. Schnitzer Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Ms. Schnitzer, a first-year Stanford Law School student who held a deep commitment to helping others, and who died in a car accident in 1987. Each spring, the $3,000 scholarship is awarded to a female first-year student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping the disadvantaged, who meets the Office of Financial Aid's criteria of financial need, and who will work for a nonprofit organization or government agency during the summer following her first year.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Levin Center also administers the nominations process for several summer scholarships providing over $40,000 in support. These are funded by external supporters and designated specifically for Stanford law students, including Sidley Austin Scholars, Justice John Paul Stevens Fellows, and Sonnenschein Scholars.
Stetson University: Stetson University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Equal Justice Works summer stipends are funded through an auction held each spring semester. Faculty, staff, and local businesses donate items to be put up for bid. All of the proceeds go to the summer stipend account. Students competitively apply to receive an Equal Justice Works summer stipend. These stipends are sufficiently large enough to allow a student to work solely in a public interest job during the summer.
Law School Funded:
SPILG Summer Fellowships
The Summer Public Service Fellowship Program, sponsored by the student-run Suffolk Public Interest Law Group (SPILG), awards summer fellowships for students working in otherwise unpaid summer internships with government agencies and public interest groups. In 2008, SPILG funded over 80 public service Fellows.
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/rappaport/fellowships/spilg/Graduate Student Funded:
Thomas J. Drinan Memorial Fellowship
Established by family and friends in memory of Thomas J. Drinan, JD '76, this fellowship is awarded annually to fund the ten-week summer internship of a Suffolk University Law School student who has demonstrated a desire to work in a Massachusetts public office engaged in the prosecution or defense of criminal cases.
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/rappaport/fellowships/drinan/
Paul R. McLaughlin Memorial Fellowship FundEstablished by friends and family in memory of Paul R. McLaughlin, JD '81, this fellowship is awarded annually to fund the summer internship of a Suffolk University Law School student who has a demonstrated desire to pursue a career in criminal law in the public sector. Second-year Day Division students or third-year Evening Division students with a concentration in criminal law are eligible to apply.
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/rappaport/fellowships/mclaughlin/
Other Funding Source:
Consumer Law Public Service Fellowship
The Consumer Law Public Service Fellowship is a newly established fellowship offered to support the summer employment of a designated Suffolk University Law School student engaged in public service in the field of consumer rights and protection.
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/rappaport/fellowships/consumer/
Rappaport Fellows Program in Law & Public PolicyThe Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy is a unique fellowship program in public service and civic leadership sponsored by Suffolk University Law School that brings together gifted students from each of the six Boston-area law schools to work with top public policy makers on the issues that affect our lives and work in Greater Boston and Massachusetts. This one-of-a-kind program exposes outstanding law students to the challenging complexities and powerful societal rewards of creating successful public policy. At the heart of the program is its desire to attract, train, inspire, and connect the next generation of civic leaders and policy shapers.
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/rappaport/fellows/
Syracuse University: College of Law
Law School Funded:
SPIN Fellows - All continuing students are eligible to apply for SPIN Fellowships for the Summer. Fellows are required to commit a minimum of 300 hours of service at a public interest agency. Students secure positions across the country and become part of the SPIN network. During the Summer of 2009, SPIN sponsored 14 Summer Fellows. http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/Fellowship.aspx
Graduate Student Funded:
The Grant Opportunity Program
The GO Program, which provides summer stipends, is funded through fundraising and Syracuse University College of Law contributions as well as from alumni, foundations and other organizations. (Examples: BarBri, Onondaga County Bar, NYS Prosecutors Association) The numbers vary every year. In 2001, the Law School awarded 26 grants at $2,000 each ($52,000 total). The students raised approximately $17,000 from an auction, a pro bono concert, a luau event and a couple of bake sales. The Law School contribution (Dean's Contribution) was $10,000. For more information, visit http://www.law.syr.edu/careerservices/goprog ram.asp.
Other Funding Source:
SPIN Fellows - All continuing students are eligible to apply for SPIN Fellowships for the Summer. Fellows are required to commit a minimum of 300 hours of service at a public interest agency. Students secure positions across the country and become part of the SPIN network. This year, SPIN is proud to have 14 Summer Fellows placed worldwide. http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/Fellowship.aspx
Equal Justice Works Summer Corps http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/summercorps/general
Temple University: James E. Beasley School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Student Public Interest Network (SPIN) is a student-run organization that raises money to provide modest salaries to Temple Law students to enable them to work for public interest legal organizations during the summer. The number of grants provided depends on the number of eligible applicants and the amount of money raised.
The Honorable Clifford Scott Green Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to a second-year day or third year evening student who has demonstrated a commitment to public interest law or pro bono legal service. The scholarship is provided as a financial assistance to enable a student to continue working in the public interest sector during the summer.
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Texas Tech University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
SPII Summer Fellowship Program - Any law student at Texas Tech School of Law can apply for summer funding from the Student Public Interest Initiative (SPII) that raise funds through an annual auction and other fundraising activities to support students who work with public interest organizations in the summer. Students receiving summer funding from SPII can either work with an organization that does work on behalf of disempowered or underrepresented people, or can work on an independent project that addresses a specific social problem under the supervision of an attorney or organization that is capable of offering guidance and expertise to the student. The student must: (1) Demonstrate that s/he has exhausted all other funding available to him/her and that the work that the student proposes to do would be impossible without funding from SPII (2) Demonstrate that the summer work s/he proposes to do fits within SPII's definition of public interest work.
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Students raise funds to support students working in summer public interest jobs; the amount awarded varies based on fund-raising efforts. The Law School provides matching grants to student-funded fellowships.
The Larry Margolies Pro Bono Fellowship was funded by the Dallas Fort Worth Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. In addition, United Way of Tarrant County funded two student fellowships.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law: Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Law School Funded:
Our PILF student group held an auction to raise money for summer grants, and the administration matched the amount of the award from PILF.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Our PILF student group held an auction to raise money for summer grants, and the administration matched the amount of the award from PILF.
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Touro College: Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Summer public interest fellowships are funded by Federal work study , proceeds of an auction sponsored by both Touro and its students and grants raised from private indivduals and organizations.. Fellowships are $3,500 for ten weeks of work, and approximately 40 are given each year.Dean frequently adds to these monies with law school funds.
Tulane University: Tulane University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Twenty-five students were awarded PILF (Public Interest Law Foundation of Tulane) fellowships in the summer of 2005. The PILF fellowships, amounting to approximately $72,000, were funded jointly by the law school and by the student organization of the same name.
University at Buffalo Law School, SUNY
Law School Funded:
The Dean's Office sponsors four fellows per year at $3,000-3,500.
The Buffalo Public Interest Law Program (BPILP) awards 10-15 fellowships ($3,000-3,500 each). BPILP also collaborates with student groups to fund "Co-op" fellowships for students working in particular practice areas. Past co-op fellowships include: The Domestic Violence Task Force, the Human Rights Law Review, the Prosecutors Club, the Environmental Law Society, the Progressive Law Society/OUTLAW.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
In addition, the Human Rights Law Committee sponsors several students per summer to engage in international human rights work through the Buffalo Human Rights Law Center.
Three Kaplan & Reynolds Summer Public Interest Law Fellowships are awarded each year. These are $3000-3500 each.
University of Akron: C. Blake McDowell Law Center
Law School Funded:
Summer Long Public Interest Fellowships
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Student Bar Association Auction; Samuel Willis Reece Foundation; Malkin-Koosed Public Interest Fellowship Funding.
Student Public Interest Fellowships which provide stipends for students working in public sector placements. These stipends are funded by the Samuel Reece Willis Foundation, the Student Bar Association Auction and the Malkin - Koosed Public Interest Fellowship. These sources together generate in excess of $30,000 per year for the fellowships.
University of Alabama: University of Alabama School of Law
Law School Funded:
Since 1992, when Public Interest Summer Fellowships were first awarded at the University of Alabama School of Law, approximately $120,365.00 has been awarded to approximately 155 students employed in public interest legal work during their summers of law school. Placements have included Legal Aid, Legal Services Corporation, Public Defender offices, U.S. Attorney's offices, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Southern Environmental Law Center in Washington, the Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest, the Alabama office of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Nature Conservancy, the University of Berkeley Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Labor Relations Board, Equal Justice Center's Poultry Workers Project, and the office of a U.S. Senator. Eligible UA students are offered such fellowships each summer.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Using funds donated by one of our previous graduating classes, one student was funded for a public interest position in Summer 2005.
Other Funding Source:
Students raised funds at an event coordinated by the Public Interest Law Organization. Students, faculty and administrators donated money to fund a position, then cast their vote for the person they most wanted to support, based on anonymous job descriptions submitted by students requesting funding.
Our Summer federal work study program provides paid employment for between 60 and 70 students (primarily first years). Students interview for the positions at our Sonoran Desert Public Sector Career Fair, held each February, and most have received job offers by early March. 2005 work study employers included the Arizona Governor's General Counsel; Arizona Attorney General (capital litigation, agriculture, transportation, employment, natural resources, and more); Arizona Secretary of State; county prosecutors and public defenders from throughout Arizona and beyond; Municipality of Anchorage; city attorneys throughout Arizona (criminal and civil divisions); Tucson City Court; Southern Arizona Legal Aid; White Mountain Legal Aid; Catholic Social Services Asylum Program; DNA Legal Services (the largest legal aid organization in the U.S. for Native Americans); the Gila River Indian Community; DC Employment Justice Center; Arizona Center for Disability Law; and National Center for Interamerican Free Trade.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock: William H. Bowen School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Arkansas School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Baltimore School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of California - Los Angeles
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of California at Davis: University of California at Davis School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
King Hall Legal Foundation (KHLF) http://www.law.ucdavis.edu/khlf/
The number of fellowship recipients varies from year to year depending on funds available. Thirteen students received fellowships for the summer of 2001. Sources of funding include the KHLF Spring Auction, Day of Wages, and King Hall alumni donations.
Other Funding Source:
University of California, Berkeley: University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
Law School Funded:
As part of our mission as a great public law school, Berkeley Law is eager for a large number of our students to experience public interest/public service lawyering. This includes making it financially feasible for every student pursuing a JD degree at Berkeley to do summer public interest/public service legal work.
The Berkeley Law Public Interest/Public Service Summer Fellowship Program offers summer Fellowships to every continuing JD students who applies. First-time (typically 1L) recipients of Berkeley Law summer funding are eligible to receive up to $4,000. Such recipients may choose to receive only a portion of the $4000 for this summer and save the remainder to support their public interest/public sector work in the summer following their second year. Second-time recipients of Berkeley Law summer funding are eligible to receive an award of $2,000, in addition to any saved funds remaining from their first summer, up to a total of $6,000. Second-time recipients may also request supplemental, competitive funding from the law school.
Recipients can use Berkeley Law Summer Fellowship funding in combination with other summer funding sources as long as they do not exceed a designated funding cap.
The main requirement for obtaining a Fellowship is to show a commitment to public interest/public service by completing at least 25 hours of law-related pro bono work during the school year.
Graduate Student Funded:
A number of law student groups also offer public interest summer fellowships. These groups include: the Berkeley Law Foundation; the Boalt Hall Queer Caucus; the Boalt Hall Women's Association; the Boalt Hall Committee on Human Rights; boalt.org; the Ecology Law Quarterly; and the OC at Boalt.
For links to these organizations, visit: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/227.htm
Other Funding Source:
Each summer, Berkeley Law students usually are recipients of summer fellowship & stipends such as Equal Justice America, Equal Justice Works Summer Corps, Peggy Browning, Haywood Burns, and many others.
The Berkeley Law Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley also awards a number of summer fellowships to law students (and other graduate students) doing summer human rights work.
University of California-Hastings College of the Law
Law School Funded:
Weinstock Summer Public Interest Fellowships are awarded to students working for public interest organizations.
Graduate Student Funded:
Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation (HPILF) awards multiple summer grants-annually for summer work with a public interest organization.
Other Funding Source:
EJW summer grants
University of Chicago: University of Chicago Law School
Law School Funded:
Summer Public Interest Loan Program: The University of Chicago is committed to supporting a range of summer employment opportunities. To meet this commitment, the loan program provides short-term, interest-free loans of up to $5,000 to students working for the public interest during their first-year summer. In addition, students who work in eligible public interest positions for at least four weeks of their first-year summer may have a portion of the loan forgiven.
For more information on the Summer Public Interest Loan Program, please see http://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/2007_summer_loan.pdf.
The Honorable Diane P. Wood Summer Fellowship in International Law: This fellowship supports an international public service internship for a Law School student each summer.
The Norval Morris Public Interest Fellowship: This fellowship supports a criminal justice or mental health internship for a Law School student each summer.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Chicago Law Foundation (CLF) is a student-directed, not-for-profit group that awards grants to law students who devote their summers to working in the public interest. Because few public interest organizations and government agencies have the money to pay law students for summer employment, CLF assists law students who would not otherwise be able to work for such organizations.
CLF is non-partisan and funds projects that fall anywhere on the political spectrum. Past CLF grantees have worked for a wide variety of organizations including: the American Civil Liberties Union; the AIDS Legal Council; the Institute for Justice; Public Citizen Litigation Group; Brooklyn Legal Services; the Illinois Migrant Legal Assistance Project; the Center for Individual Rights; the Authors' Guild, and the National Wildlife Federation. CLF also funds students who work for government agencies.
CLF raises most of the money for its summer grant programs from law students, many of whom donate a portion of their summer earnings; some law firms also match their summer associates' contributions to CLF. In addition, CLF conducts an annual Charity Auction to raise grant funds. The Law School and its faculty also contribute to CLF.
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/Life/clf.html
Other Funding Source:
Students also receive summer funding from other sources such as the Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program, Equal Justice America, and other grant programs.
University of Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati College of Law
Law School Funded:
The College of Law offers funded fellowships. Fundraising efforts include a Wine Tasting and Silent Art Auction as well as an annual pledge drive and contributions. The amount of funding varies each year and is a function of the fundraising efforts of the prior year as well as any outside contributions. On average 50-65 students receive funding each summer with awards ranging from $2,500 to $3,075.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
For information regarding the followships listed below, see http://www.law.uc.edu/cpd/sumpubintfellow.html
- Spiegel Fellowship
- Black Fellowship
- White Fellowship
University of Colorado: School of Law
Law School Funded:
The School of Law offers three or more summer fellowships, each for $3000 or more, which are funded by an endowment.
Endowment, Jonathan B. Chase Fellowship
Enviornmental Law Society Fellowship; Women's Law Caucus Fellowship.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Connecticut: University of Connecticut School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Group funds summer grants each year for students who plan to work in low and non-paying jobs that serve the public interest. The number of grants available in any given year is dependent upon how successful the group's fundraising efforts have been. Over the last five years, the group has been able to fund between 8-12 grants each summer.
Other Funding Source:
Similar to students' ongoing application for funding from outside programs on a post-graduate basis, students are encouraged to, and do, apply for a variety of public interest fellowships and stipends to support public service summer positions.
University of Dayton: University of Dayton School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
None.
University of Denver: Sturm College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
The Paterson Internship Fund provides assistance for students completing overseas internships. Grants average around $1,000.
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Group (PILG) sponsors an annual auction to raise money to fund an average of six summer fellowships for students to work in public interest law.
Bugdanowitz Fund - $10,000
Colorado Bar Association Public Interest Fund - $4000
Additional funds from other sources contribute about 25% of the funds for summer fellowship stipends. In previous years, the stipend offered was $3,000 to $3,500 per student.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Florida: Fredric G. Levin College of Law
Law School Funded:
The College of Law matches funds to support summer fellowships for students working in public interest positions.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Students, through the Association for Public Interest Summer Fellowship Program, provide funding to support summer fellowships for students working in public interest positions (number and amount of each fellowship is determined by the amount of money raised by the students through fundraising activities). The College of Law matches these funds.
Public Service Partners (a program for law firms who volunteer donations to the support the Association for Public Interest Summer Fellowship Program). The number and amount of each fellowship is determined by the amount of money raised by the students through fundraising activities.
University of Georgia School of Law
Law School Funded:
Public Interest Practicum provides two summer fellowships that allow students to provide services to the homeless, disabled and underrepresented.
Graduate Student Funded:
None
Other Funding Source:
- Equal Justice Foundation Fellowships, funded by the proceeds from an annual student-faculty auction, allow 6-10 students to accept summer public interest positions and receive payment for their efforts.
- Equal Justice Works has selected many UGA School of Law students for summer and post-graduates fellowships.
- Governor's Intern Program--the Georgia Governor’s office selects first- and second-year law students to work in the public sector for a semester. Students earn money while participating in this program.
University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Houston Law Center
Law School Funded:
The law center funds the summer public interest work of 15-20 law students.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Our generous friends and alumni fund:
Sohns Fellowship – Awarded for a student to work with Lone Star Legal Aid
Marvin Nathan Fellowship – Awarded for a student to work with the Anti-Defamation League
University of Idaho: College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The law school has a Public Interest Fellowship Program, funded with Idaho Law Foundation (IOLTA funds and other direct grants) grants and private donations. The program funds living expenses for students who work without pay in summer placements at public interest and public sector organizations.
University of Illinois College of Law
Law School Funded:
None
Graduate Student Funded:
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is a student-managed organization dedicated to bringing public interest law careers to the attention of law students. Each year PILF raises money to provide grants to University of Illinois students undertaking public interest work over the Summer. In the past, students have been funded to work at a number of places including NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Midwest Center for Justice, Land of Lincoln Legal Services, Sacramento Child Advocates, Employment Law Center, President's Interagency Council on Women, Office of the Public Guardian, and U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The size of the grant awarded to each student varies.
Other Funding Source:
University of Iowa College of Law
Law School Funded:
Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) Summer Stipends
Intent: To help make it financially feasible for students to contribute their time and legal skills during their summer breaks to people who normally would not have access to legal advocacy.
Description: EJF students generate funds each year through a series of fundraisers. EJF manages the application and selection process and awards are based primarily on applicant’s participation in EJF fundraising events and general commitment to public interest. The law foundation matches the funds raised each year by the students in the Equal Justice Foundation.
Recipients: During 2006-07, thirty students received $36,000 in awards.
Public Interest Summer Internship Class of 1998 Fund
Intent: To support students who pursue summer internships at public interest organizations.
Description: Recipients must be currently enrolled law students and must demonstrate procurement of summer employment in public interest law, an area that includes 501(c)(3) entities, government agencies, and advocacy groups. Projected summer employment compensation must be either low or unpaid. The applicant’s level of need and the intensity of commitment to public interest law are the primary criteria for selection. Academic achievement will not be considered. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty and staff.
Recipients: During 2006-07, two students received $1,500 in awards.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Kansas: School of Law
Law School Funded:
Generous alumni, faculty and student organization support allows the law school to award a record number of stipends. More than $23,000 was awarded to 23 students serving underrepresented populations during the summer of 2009. These fellowships include Board of Governors Public Interest Fellowships, Davenport Public Interest Fellowships, Jana Mackey Public Interest Fellowships, Lyons Public Interest Fellowships, Public Interest Law Society (PILS) Public Interest Fellowships, and the Women in Law (WIL) Public Interest Fellowship.
Graduate Student Funded:
Equal Opportunity Fund scholarship is awarded to three students who volunteer their entire summer to work in public interest law or pro bono work. Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) monies are distributed by the University of Kansas Student Senate. To be considered, requests for EOF funding must meet at least one of several criteria, including that the monies be awarded to students participating in public and community service programs.
Other Funding Source:
The KU Law Public Interest Law Society (PILS) sponsors an annual Casino Night to raise money to fund summer stipends for students working for public interest organizations. In both 2004 and 2005, PILS raised over $2000 at the Casino Night.
University of Kentucky College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The College of Law has received grants from the United States Department of Justice for the Rural Drug Prosecution Assistance Project (“RDPAP”). The purpose of the RDPAP is to enhance the ability of the criminal justice system in the rural parts of Kentucky to prosecute, defend, and adjudicate the increased volume of drug and drug-related crimes, by placing UK Law students and graduates as interns and employees with Commonwealth's Attorneys, Public Defenders and Circuit Court judges. One component of this Program is the funding of a summer internship program under which College of Law students work as summer interns with Public Defender offices in areas affected by the problems of drug abuse. This work would, of course, be for the benefit of indigent defendants.
The Student Public Interest Law Foundation ("SPILF"), the student public interest group at the College of Law, receives some grant money and money raised by students (see description below). Students apply to SPILF to receive grants to support summer work for public interest groups.
University of La Verne College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Louisville: Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
Six Annual Summer Public Interest Fellowships ($3,500 for ten weeks) are funded by a grant from the Kentucky Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Fund.
University of Maine School of Law
Law School Funded:
MAPIL Fellowship Program - The Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL), a student organization, raises funds through a variety of events, including an annual Public Interest Auction. The funds raised, together with funds contributed annually by the law school’s Alumni Association and other sources, are used to provide stipends for selected students who engage in public interest work during the summer months through the MAPIL Fellowship Program.
The Bernstein District Court Fellows Program - This fellowship program was established by the law school through a bequest from the estate of a long-time friend of the law school, and provides stipends to selected students who work during the summer as clerks for participating judges of the Maine District Court.
The Horace Libby Fund/Public Utilities Commission Fellowship - This endowed public interest fellowship was established in honor of Horace S. Libby, who served as Chief Counsel to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for fourteen years. The Fund supports a student summer internship at the PUC.
Legislative Fellowship Program - The Law School’s Legislative Fellowship Program provides students with a stipend and an opportunity to serve as summer interns (working in a non-partisan capacity) with the legislative branch of state government. The fellowships are funded by contributions from the law school’s Alumni Association and other sources.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The law school administers summer public interest fellowships on behalf of the Maine Women’s Policy Center (the Linda Smith Dyer Fellowship) and the Cumberland Bar Association (the Cumberland Bar Association Public Interest Fellowship).
University of Maryland: University of Maryland School of Law
Law School Funded:
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/students/life/orgs/mpilp/
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/programs/international/fellows.html
Graduate Student Funded:
For graduates interested in possible partnerships, please contact the Clinical Law Program or the Director, Pro Bono & Public Service Initiatives
Other Funding Source:
The University of Maryland School of Law's Maryland Public Interest Law Project (MPILP) is a nonprofit corporation directed by University of Maryland law students who are devoted to bringing together law students and public interest organizations. MPILP raises funds for summer public interest fellowships by hosting an annual Goods & Services Auction to support a summer public interest grant program. The Maryland Legal Services Corporation, many local law firms, individual attorneys, public interest organizations, business community and the law school community support the efforts of MPILP. As a result, law students are able to compete through a selective grant process for a limited number of paid summer public interest fellowships. For more information, visit http://www.law.umaryland.edu/students/life/orgs/mpilp/
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Miami School of Law
Law School Funded:
HOPE Fellows- All continuing students are eligible to apply for HOPE Fellowships for the Summer. Fellows are required to commit a minumum of 200 hours of service at a public interest agency. Students secure positions worldwide and become part of the Public Interest Leadership Board, responsible for programming, education and advocacy in the subsequent school year. This year, HOPE is proud to have 14 Summer Fellows placed worldwide. www.law.miami.edu/hope
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
IOTA Funds from the Florida Bar enable approximately 16 students per year to participate in our Summer Public Interest Program. Students earn three credits, participate in a public interest law course throughout the summer and are placed full-time with public interest agencies in South Florida.
University of Michigan: University of Michigan Law School
Law School Funded:
Dean’s Public Service Fellowship: Each year the program recognizes twenty second-year Michigan Law students who have a demonstrated commitment to public service and who intend to seek public service legal employment during the summer after their second year of school in preparation for a public service law career. Fellows receive a $5,000 cash award.
Henry Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Summer Fellowship: This fellowship funds 3-day training and a to-be-determined stipend.
Clara Belfield & Henry Bates Overseas Fellowship: This fellowship funds second year Michigan Law students studying or working abroad with international government agencies, NGOs, law firms or other legal or political institutions in foreign countries.
Refugee & Asylum Law Fellowship: This fellowship funds students and places them in a summer internship with international organizations.
Cambodian Law and Development Program: This annual fellowship funds Michigan Law students to work for a prearranged organization in Cambodia.
Perry Watkins Summer Fellowship: This award is given to one law student to work on LGBT issues during her/his summer internship.
Graduate Student Funded:
Student Funded Fellowship (SFF) is a student organization that raises money and provides grants to Michigan Law students who take unpaid or very low-paying summer jobs in the public interest. SFF defines "public interest" jobs as “jobs that provide direct legal services to economically or socially disadvantaged people or interests.” This broad concept includes positions with non-profit organizations, public sector agencies and government organizations in the U.S. and overseas.
SFF is nearing its 30th year and is a leader among similar fellowship programs at law schools throughout the country. Since its founding in 1978, SFF has funded over 1,000 students at more than 300 organizations across the United States and abroad. The SFF grant application process occurs each spring.
SFF raises funds for the grants each year through a variety of sources and activities. In addition to the traditional Pledge Drive and Phone-a-thon, SFF organizes an annual spring auction, which has earned record amounts each year since 1997. In 1997, SFF introduced a Hotel Voucher Program through which law firms interviewing Michigan students can contribute $150 for each student who chooses to stay with friends or relatives, rather than in a hotel, during a callback visit. SFF has also negotiated an agreement with a local bookstore to receive a percentage of law school book sales.
Other Funding Source:
Sonnenschein Scholars Program: This award is annually provided to 2 Michigan Law students for a summer internship in public interest after her/his 1L year.
University of Minnesota: University of Minnesota Law School
Law School Funded:
- Upper Midwest Human Rights Center Fellowship: The Human Rights Center accepts applications for fellowship grants to residents of the Upper Midwest—including students, teachers, lawyers, other professionals, community leaders, activists and others—to undertake practical experience in human rights organizations. The Fellowship Program is designed to promote human rights by providing practical training in the varied aspect of human rights work worldwide.
- Robina Summer Fellowships: Multiple summer clerkships are granted to current students for either self-designed or existing unfunded positions in the areas of public policy, legal services, government services, and the courts.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
- Minnesota Justice Foundation Summer Clerkship Program (SCP): MJF provides approximately twenty Minnesota legal services agencies with full-time, fully funded law student clerks every summer. MJF selects the recipient organizations and administers the hiring process for the positions. Clerks are given $4,000-4,500 for the summer depending on whether the clerkship is within the metro area or in the greater Minnesota region. <
- b>U of M MJF Student Chapter Public Interest Clerkship Program (PIC): The MJF Student Chapter fundraises during the school year to provide funding for approximately five self-designed summer public interest clerkships. Applicants are responsible for developing their own projects and submitting proposals for a vote. Minnesota based clerkships are preferred but it can fund projects throughout the nation and world.
In addition to these fellowships, the CPDC staff is available to speak to students about additional fellowship opportunities offered by outside organizations.
University of Mississippi School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Missouri - Columbia: School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
None.
University of Missouri Kansas City University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Public Interest Law Association Stipend. The Stipend goes to a member of the organization who takes a summer position working in public interest for no pay. To be eligible student members must also fulfill a community service project requirement. This program encourages students to participate in community service projects and also to take internships in the Public Interest field.
University of Montana: University of Montana School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
None.
University of Nebraska: University of Nebraska College of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
NFCPI (Nebraska Fund for Clerkships in the Public Interest): Summer fellowships are funded through donations by faculty, staff, attorneys, a percentage of Bar/Bri sales and by the Women’s Law Caucus annual charity auction. The number of awards varies each year, with usually four to six awarded. The total amount awarded for summer public interest clerkships is usually $10,000 -$12,000.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: William S. Boyd School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Students Association raises funds for student fellowships for public interest summer clerkships.
PILA raised funds to allow four students to work in public interest offices during the summer. Students worked for Clark County Legal Services with domestic violence victims, Clark County Special Public Defender's Office on child abuse and welfare issues, with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights to help expose human rights abuses in the United States criminal justice system and for the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office helping individuals who have been charged with crimes. These students contributed over 1,280 hours of legal service to low-income, indigent and underrepresented populations.
University of New Mexico School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of North Carolina: University of North Carolina School of Law
Law School Funded:
For summer 2005, students received grants from four endowed funds at the Law School, each of which was set up to provide funds to students working in various areas of public interest law: Ilene Nelson Public Interest Grant,Gibson Desaulniers Smith Public Interest Grant, Steven Whitesell Memorial Fund, and The Pollitt Fellowship.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
For summer 2005, four student groups donated funds: The Carolina Public Interest Law Organization (which alone raised over $30,000 to fund students working in the public interest over the summer), Immigrants Outreach Project, Domestic Violence Advocacy Project, and The Environmental Law Project.
In addition, each year the North Carolina State Bar Interest on Lawyer's Trust Account (IOLTA) Fund provides summer grants for public interest work by UNC students. For summer 2005, three $3000 grants were provided.
There are between ten and fifteen community service work-study grants each year provided to students who work in approved public interest settings. These grants require a 25% match from the employer.
University of North Dakota School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Oklahoma College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Oregon: University of Oregon School of Law
Law School Funded:
Oregon Law Students' Public Interest Fund (OLSPIF) is a student organization that raises funds for a stipend program that places University of Oregon law students in public interest law jobs for a summer. All students enrolled at the School of Law who dedicate ten hours volunteering for OLSPIF functions are eligible to receive summer stipends for public interest work. Last year fundraising activities raised $20,000 and provided stipends for ten students.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Oregon Law Students' Public Interest Fund (OLSPIF) is a student organization that raises funds for a stipend program that places University of Oregon law students in public interest law jobs for a summer. All students enrolled at the School of Law who dedicate ten hours volunteering for OLSPIF functions are eligible to apply for summer stipends for public interest work. In addition, approximately six students used Federal Work Study funds to support otherwise unpaid public interest jobs. Three students received stipends from Friends of Land Air Water, a 501 (c)(3) organization that supports the student group, Land Air Water.
University of Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Law School
Law School Funded:
Th Law School funds approximately 100 students to pursue internships in the public sector each year through the Sparer Summer Fellowship Program, the work-study program and the Public Interest Scholars Program.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Equal Justice Foundation, a public interest student organization, annually funds 10-20 students to work in public interest internships during the summer.
University of Pittsburgh: School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Law School’s Center for International Legal Education (CILE) offers fellowships for students pursuing study, research or internships abroad.
Graduate Student Funded:
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation raises funds each year to provide summer grants to students working in public interest organizations and government agencies.
Other Funding Source:
Equal Justice Works
Peggy Browning
K&L Gates Public Interest Fellowship
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Richmond T. C. Williams School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Saint Thomas: School of Law (MN)
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of San Diego School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of South Carolina: University of South Carolina School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
Funds raised by James Petigru Public Interest Law Society efforts. Fellowships ranging between $1,000-2,000 are annually distributed to rising 2L and 3L students. Typically, six are distributed per year.
Funds from a grant from the SC Bar Foundation- IOLTA funds. See www.scbar.org
University of South Dakota School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Law School Funded:
The Law School administers two endowments that produce two summer grants annually: The Adam Scott Memorial Grant, and the Harriet Buhai/Trope & Trope Family Law Summer Fellowship. In addition, Sidley & Austin and Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal provide funding for and sponsor PILF summer grants.
Graduate Student Funded:
PILF, a student-run public interest organization, awards about 25 summer grants each year. Students working their first summer in the public interest are awarded a $4500 grant and students in their second summer receive a $5,500 grant. Funding comes from a Law School-created endowment, student fundraising, and graduate donations made through our Annual Fund drive.
Other Funding Source:
PILF, a student-run public interest organization, awards about 25 summer grants each year. Students working their first summer in the public interest are awarded a $4500 grant and students in their second summer receive a $5,500 grant. Funding comes from a Law School-created endowment, student fundraising, and graduate donations made through our Annual Fund drive.
University of Tennessee College of Law
Law School Funded:
Kolwyck Equal Acess to Justice Summer Fellowships - These fellowships are awarded to deserving students at the College of Law who secure pro bono or public interest summer employment with an agency or non-profit organization or with a law firm which will assign the student exclusively to matters in which the firm is providing pro bono.The criteria for the award are professional promise, financial need, prior pro bono or public interest activities, likelihood of long-term commitment to the provision of legal services to persons of limited means, and the extent to which the student's proposed employment will further the goals for which this scholarship has been established. Although prior pro bono or public interest activity and the likelihood of long-term commitment to the provision of legal services to persons of limited means are important criteria, they do not preclude the award of a scholarship to students who have not previously engaged in such activity or are uncertain about the extent to which they will serve persons of limited means after their admission to the bar. The amount and the timing for disbursement of the scholarship stipend are determined by the Committee after an evaluation of the financial need of the recipient and any payments the student will receive from the agency, organization, or law firm which the student will be working.
Graduate Student Funded:
Tennessee Association for Public Interest Law
TAPIL is a student-run organization that conducts an annual pledge drive to raise money for summer public interest law fellowships. Total summer funds dispensed through TAPIL range from $400 - $2,500. Applications are accepted each spring and money from the previous year's pledge drive, plus some additional funds from sources such as IOLTA program of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, are allocated by a faculty-student committee on the basis of the quality of the proposal and the student's need as reflected in a budget submitted as part of the application. (Tennessee Bar Foundation funds are subject to additional criteria). TAPIL typically provides partial support for the student's activity, with the applicant supplementing the TAPIL award with other funds earned or raised. TAPIL recipients have worked in a variety of settings, both in and out of state, assigned to non profit law firms, legal services offices, public defender programs, and advocacy organizations.
Other Funding Source:
An additional funding source is the IOLTA program of the Tennessee Bar Foundation.
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Texas Law Fellowships, a student-run group, raised $77,900 to support 21 students in public interest positions in the summer of 2005.
Gifts from the Cain Foundation and the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation provided funds administered by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice to support human rights work by students.
University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
Law School Funded:
Joseph L. Rauh Equal Justice Works Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program
The UDC David A. Clarke School of Law faculty is committed to preparing students for careers in the public interest, public service, and in public policy reform. Summer jobs are among the most effective training grounds for building student expertise and commitment, making valuable professional contacts, and providing vitally needed legal services to individuals who otherwise could not afford a lawyer. For these reasons, the School of Law funds Summer Public Interest Fellowships for all qualifying first-year students and for as many second-year students as possible. Students receiving the fellowships work full-time, for a minimum of ten weeks in otherwise uncompensated legal work in support of a public interest, governmental or judicial office.
Recent placements include:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Toledo: College of Law
Law School Funded:
The College of Law awards several public interest fellowships to help support students who work for public interest entities during the summer. These fellowships enable students to provide legal assistance to underprivileged people throughout the country by providing a stipend for students to help with their expenses.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
Cooper & Walinski Public Interest Law Fellowship
Bruce Comly French Public Interest Law Fellowship
The Reinberger Foundation Honors Prosecutorial Summer Program offers significant financial stipends to outstanding students who work in prosecutor offices throughout the country during the summer.
The Joel A. and Shirley A. Levine Fellowship in Alternative Dispute Resolutionprovides students with an opportunity to explore the world of Alternative Dispute Resolution through a direct placement in this emergent field.
University of Tulsa: College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Source:
None.
University of Utah College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Frankel Public Interest fellowships
Spurgeon endowed fellowship
Khazeni Fellowship
University of Virginia School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
University of Washington: University of Washington School of Law
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The School of Law offers student-funded summer public interest fellowships. See www.uwpila.org
University of Wisconsin: Law School
Law School Funded:
Summer Public Interest Fellowships (SPSF). SPSFs provide stipends to University of Wisconsin Law students who take unpaid or extremely low paid summer public service jobs. Fellowships will be funded either in conjunction with the federal work-study program, or in a one-time grant funded fully by the UW-Public Interest Law Foundation. Grants are approximately $2,500 (possibly slightly more), depending on the number of applicants and the amount of available funds.
Graduate Student Funded:
Children’s Justice Project awards summer grants to students working on child welfare issues.
Other Funding Source:
None.
University of Wyoming School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Valparaiso University: Valparaiso University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Valpo Law offers Summer Public Interest Scholarships to students who accept employment with a public interest employer during the summer and receive no compensation. Awards range from $1000-3000 per student. In 2006, $50,000 was awarded. For additional information, please contact Kimberly Bubac at kim.bubac@valpo.edu or at 219/465-7967.
Equal Justice Alliance offers a Supplemental Grant for summer public interest employment. Awards vary from year to year.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Vanderbilt University Law School
Law School Funded:
Students raised money for public interest stipend fund and dean matched the amount raised. Hard money funded 3 summer clerks for clinical faculty, to assist with on-going live-client representation, and paid 25% of salary for 2 additional summer clerks. Federal Work Study Funds paid 75% of salary for 2 summer clerks. Student raised funds provided stipends for 11 law students to work non-paid public interest summer jobs. This money was matched by the law school.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Equal Justice Foundation holds a fundraiser each year to support student public interest work in the summer.
Villanova University: Villanova University School of Law
Law School Funded:
A law student organization, the Public Interest Fellowship Program, organizes an auction every year that raises approximately $60,000 for summer fellowships and loan repayment, $4,500 for each selected law student employed at public interest organizations. Prior fellowship recipients have worked at organizations including the Philadelphia AIDS Law Project, the Philadelphia Women Against Abuse Legal Center, the Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, Greater Boston Legal Services and the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium.
http://www.law.villanova.edu/studentservices/studentlife/pifp/
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
A law student organization, the Public Interest Fellowship Program, organizes an auction every year that raises approximately $40,000 for summer fellowships, $4,000 each for law students employed at public interest organizations. Prior fellowship recipients have worked at organizations including the Philadelphia Women's Law Project, the Philadelphia AIDS Law Project, the Philadelphia Women Against Abuse Legal Center, the Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, Greater Boston Legal Services and the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium.
Wake Forest University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Washburn University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Washington and Lee University: School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Washington University: Washington University School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
-
Women's Law Caucus holds an auction in the spring to raise money for students who will spend their summer working on issues related to women and children.
-
Pro Bono Jurists raise money through a garage sale, candy gram sales, and pledge-a-day's wage campaigns. Funds raised are put in the general summer stipend budget.
-
Criminal Law Society provides money for a student doing summer work in the criminal law sector.
Other Funding Source:
-
Public Interest Summer Stipends are funded through a combination of generous donations from alumni and friends and federal work-study funds. In the summer of 2002, almost $300,000 was distributed to over 110 students with a maximum award of $5000.
-
Dagen-Legomsky Fellowships are awarded to students to work as externs during the summer with international public interest organizations.
-
J. Peter Schmitz Fellowships are awarded to at least two students working for environmental causes.
Wayne State University Law School
Law School Funded:
The Freeman Fellowship funds one law student to enroll in the International Law Program each year at the University of the Hague in the Netherlands each summer.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
West Virginia University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
A student group, the Public Interest Advocates, raised funds through a variety of mechanisms. These funds were used to sponsor 16 2005 summer public interest positions.
James Marshall Sprouse Public Interest Law Fellowships
http://www.wvu.edu/~law/student/PIA.html
Western New England College: School of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Western State University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
Whittier Law School: Whittier Law School
Law School Funded:
Whittier Law School offers approximately 30 lawschool funded stipends each summer to Fellows of its Center for Children's Rights. All of these placements are public interest-oriented.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Law School's Public Interest Law Foundation supports approximately ten additional placements each summer.
Widener University School of Law--Delaware Campus
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Source:
The Public Interest Law Alliance, a student group, raises funds for summer public interest stipends through an annual silent auction.
DuPont Public Interest Summer Fellowships, Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin Public Service Summer Fellowship, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP Public Service Summer Fellowship, MBNA Financial Literacy Education Fellowships
Willamette University: Willamette University College of Law
Law School Funded:
Work study money is available to qualifying students year round.
Graduate Student Funded:
The Student public interest group, The Project (Public Interest Project), raises money for 6-12 public interest fellowships each summer, for approximately $3,000 per fellowship.
Other Funding Source:
William Mitchell College of Law: William Mitchell College of Law
Law School Funded:
None listed.
Graduate Student Funded:
None listed.
Other Funding Source:
William Mitchell allocates work-study funds for off-campus public interest work by students during the summer. In addition, Mitchell students raise moneys each year to fund public interest clerkships during the summer.
The Albert H. Mansfield Foundationprovides a $10,000 grant to fund two summer clerkships at two local public interest organizations, SMRLS and Legal Aid. William Mitchell and the two agencies also provided funds for these clerkships. Each student receives $5000 from the grant and $500 from the hiring agency and $1000 from William Mitchell College of Law for a total stipend of $6500.
Each year, the Student Chapter of MJF raises money to fund several public interest legal fellowships through the Public Interest Legal Fellowship Program. The number of fellowships awarded is based on the amount of money raised; each Fellowship carries a stipend of up to $4,000. Additionally, the Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) raises funds for approximately 20 Summer Clerkships, each with a stipend of up of $4,300.
Yale University: Yale Law School
Law School Funded:
The Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program provides up to $500 a week for up to 12 weeks to every student who needs this financial support to pursue a public interest job in the summer. In the summer of 2008, we provided fellowships for 122 students. The Schell Center for International Human Rights also provides Kirby Simon Summer Human Rights Fellowships, which combine SPIF living stipends with a travel grant to support summer work in international human rights. During the summer of 2008, the Schell Center funded thirty-nine Kirby Simon Summer Fellows. The Mary McCarthy Fellowships provide funding for students’ summer or brief post-graduate work in the public interest.
Graduate Student Funded:
YIPPIE! (Yale Incentive Program for Public Interest Employment) supports summer public interest work by helping students working in those fields with their financial needs. YIPPIE! also draws together the entire Law School community through participation in fun events that serve to advance Yale Law's public interest mission. YIPPIE! coordinated a number of fundraising events this year.
Other Funding Source:
Yeshiva University: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Law School Funded:
50 Public Interest Summer Stipends/Grants are awarded.
Graduate Student Funded:
50 Public Interest Summer Stipends/Grants are awarded.
Other Funding Source:
