From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: November 10, 2022
Subject: SJI Monday: Lawyering for Change with Prof. Sturm, HRI/SJI Film Discussion


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School
Events and Programs
Please register if you plan to attend an event. This helps us order the right amount of food. Thank you!

Today! SJI Monday:
Lawyering for Change with Professor Susan Sturm

Monday, Nov. 14, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
JG 106
Register

Join Professor Sturm for an interactive lunch session on how law students can use their legal training to effect change. Topics will include what the law is versus what it should be and how to bridge that gap, theories of change, strategies for change beyond litigation, and how to identify what kind of change agent you can be. Lunch will be provided.

The Chocolate War: Film Discussion with Terry Collingsworth

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Zoom
Register to receive film link

The Chocolate War is an acclaimed documentary about the fight against a billion-dollar industry that ruthlessly exploits illegal child labor in African countries. It follows human rights lawyer Terry Collinsgworth as he travels to Ivory Coast and Mali, gathering evidence in an attempt to get Nestlé and Cargill convicted of complicity in child slavery in the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Thursday, join us for a conversation with Terry Collingsworth about the film, the lawsuits, and holding corporations accountable for human rights violations. With HRI, the Institute for the Study of Human Rights, and Rightslink.

Upon registration, you will receive the link to screen the film. Sharing this link is strictly prohibited.

Coming Up at SJI...

SPIN/SJI Public Interest Lawyering Series: Policy
Nov. 22, 12:10 p.m., JG 103

SJI Monday: Disability Rights
Nov. 28, 12:10 p.m.

LL.M. Holiday Dinner
Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m.

1L Summer Job Search Update

You Can Now Apply for Summer Jobs! 

As noted in our Job Search Toolkit, we recommend starting with a list of 15-20 organizations to apply to over the next couple of months, both directly and through job fairs.


The Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair, which hosts 250+ public employers, will be held virtually Feb. 3-4. Between Dec. 1 and Jan. 12, you can register for PILC and apply to interview with participating employers. Watch for details in coming weeks. Do not relying solely on the PILC Fair for summer jobs. Make an appointment with an SJI adviser via Symplicity—the earlier, the better—to discuss your interests and construct a plan.

SJI Resume and Cover Letter Review Portal

Interested in applying to public interest, government, or human rights internships? Submit your resume and one cover letter to SJI's 1L Portal for quick review.

Things to Know About the Portal:
  • Materials must be in the format outlined in our Toolkit. Expect feedback within three to five business days.
  • We do not review materials for judicial internships; instead, please contact the Office of Judicial Clerkships.
  • Submitting your resume to the portal is separate from mandatory resume submission on CLS Connect for summer funding. To receive feedback on your resume, you must submit it to the SJI Portal.
  • The portal will be closed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4. Materials will not be reviewed or returned during this time.
Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

Nov. 15: Texas Defender Services Manne Family
Dec. 4: Millstein Financial Regulation
Dec. 4: Millstein Government Service
 

1L Mandatories

Dec. 8: Deadline to complete mandatory items on checklist
 

Pro Bono

Nov. 30: 3Ls who plan to graduate in May and have not completed their CLS Pro Bono Requirement must share their plans by this date. Failure to do so will result in a hold by Registration Services.
 

Other

Nov. 30: Themis bar prep scholarship deadline
Nov. 30: Apply to the Human Rights Internship Program (1Ls and 2Ls)
Dec. 1-Jan. 12: Apply to interview with PILC Employers

SJI Is Here for You

Make an advising appointment on Symplicity

Marka Belinfanti
Pro Bono

Joel Dodge
Postgraduate Fellowships, Public Interest Lawyering

Solmaz Firoz
1Ls, LL.M.s, Public Defense

Alex Hogan
Government

Kerry McLean
Human Rights, Public International Law, HRIP

Tory Messina
Career Transitions, LRAP, Public Interest Law Firms

Devi Patel
PI/PS Fellows

Chaula Shukla
1Ls

Full staff list and bios
News and Notes

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner


New! (J.D.s and LL.M.s)

Leebron Human Rights
Work in human rights for one year, in the United States or abroad, in pursuit of a career in human rights law. Host organizations must be engaged in human rights law advocacy. Due Feb. 6 for J.D.s and Mar. 1 for LL.M.s.

Global Public Service
Work with a public service organization, intergovernmental agency, national supreme court, or international court host abroad for one year. Preference for Asia-based organizations engaged in issues of international law and global consequence, especially environmental work. Due Mar. 1.

Additional Select Deadlines

Manne Family/Texas Defender Service (J.D.s)
Due Nov. 15

Millstein Financial Regulation (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 4

Millstein Government Service (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 4

Haas Public Service (J.D.s, LL.M.s)
Due Mar. 1

Resources

Sign up for Joel Dodge's fellowship emails for LL.M.s and 3Ls

Intro to Postgraduate Fellowships (Video)

Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

3Ls: Bar Prep Donation for Public Interest Students

Many bar prep courses (which firms purchase for incoming associates) include a second course that can be donated to a public interest student.

Are you a 3L going into public interest or government? Or a firm-bound 3L who would like to donate your second course?  Complete this form to participate in a Student Senate program matching firm-bound and public sector students.

Funding

CLS Funding Resources: a spreadsheet of internal and external funding (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, summer funding, grants, and loans) available to and/or specifically for CLS students.

Themis Bar Review Scholarship: for students going into public interest, government, or a clerkship. Apply by Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.
 

Resources on the Supreme Court

Many students have expressed concern about the Supreme Court's current jurisprudential direction and its impact on their career plans. With faculty and student groups, we have developed a list of resources to help you think about these issues. The list is not exhaustive; we welcome your suggestions.

Have You Joined Lawlink?

Columbia LawLink is the CLS community hub for current students to connect with alumni.
Social Justice Initiatives (SJI) inspires and prepares students and graduates to pursue public service and public interest work throughout their careers anywhere in the world.

Staff List
Statement from the SJI Racial Justice Committee