From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: December 2, 2021
Subject: LL.M. Lunch, NEW Public Interest and Government Fellowships, and More


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School
Events and Programs

LL.M. Holiday Luncheon

Tuesday, December 7
12:10-1:10 p.m. in WJW 600
Space is limited! Email us to RSVP

LL.M. students interested in human rights and public interest work are invited to a holiday luncheon with SJI host Kerry McLean, Assistant Director of Human Rights and Public International Law. Join SJI for an informal, in-person gathering to mingle with fellow LL.M.s and unwind as the fall semester comes to a close. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.

PILC Fair Registration/Application Period Is Open

Each year, the Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair hosts 250+ public interest employers hiring for summer internships and postgraduate jobs. You can now register and begin uploading your applications!

Things to Know About the PILC Fair:
  • You have until January 13 at 5 p.m. to register and upload all applications (resume and cover letter).
  • You must use your UNI to register. After your registration is approved (1-2 business days), you can start applying. 
  • Fair interviews and table talks will take place virtually February 3-4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Virtual Spring On-Campus Interviews Are Coming!

The On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) allows 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls to interview with public and private sector employers seeking CLS students. Students "bid" for interview slots by submitting resumes on Symplicity. You will be able to see participating employers starting January 7. Watch for more info from Career Services and SJI!

1L Resume and Cover Letter Review

1Ls interested in public interest, government, or human rights internships for this summer can submit their resume and one cover letter to our 1L Portal for quick review by SJI staff.

Things to Know About the Portal:
  • Materials must be in the cover letter and resume format outlined in the SJI Job Search Toolkit.
  • Expect feedback within 3-5 business days.
  • SJI does not review judicial internships materials; for feedback, contact Judicial Clerkships.
  • Submitting your resume to the SJI 1L Portal is separate from the mandatory resume submission for summer funding on CLS Connect/Campus Groups. To receive feedback on your resume from SJI, you must submit it directly to the SJI Portal. 
  • The portal will be closed December 24-January 4. Materials will not be reviewed or returned during this time. 

3Ls: Register Your Pro Bono Plan

Register your pro bono plan to have the Pro Bono Compliance hold removed before the add/drop period closes on December 9. Don't have a plan? Meet with Nadine Mompremier for assistance. 
Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines


Postgraduate Fellowships

Dec. 31: Manne Family Fellowship at the Texas Defender Service
Jan. 14: Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman
Jan. 21: Kirkland & Ellis
 

Other

Jan. 13, 5 p.m.: Deadline to register and upload applications for the PILC Fair
Feb. 25: 2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships

SJI Is Here for You

We're back in person on the 8th floor of Big Warren, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-Person Availability

Dean Erica Smock: Tuesdays, Thursdays, some Mondays and Fridays

Joel Dodge: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Postgraduate Fellowships, Public Interest Lawyering

Solmaz Firoz: Remote only
1Ls, LL.M.s, Public Defense

Kerry McLean: Wednesdays, Fridays
Human Rights, Public International Law, HRIP

Nadine Mompremier: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
Pro Bono, Summer Funding

Devi Patel: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
PI/PS Fellows

Rachel Pauley: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Government

Kiran Singh: Mondays or Wednesdays
Government/Prosecution

Tory Messina: Thursdays
Career Transitions, LRAP, Public Interest Law Firms

Other Staff: Please email

Full Staff List and Bios

We’d love to meet you in-person on the days we are in! Please note that we are still available via Zoom on other days, and you still must schedule advising appointments on Symplicity.
News and Notes

BLSA x LaLSA Food Drive

Drop off goods on the 5th floor of Big Warren. Twenty random participants will be entered into a lottery to win gift cards! Ends 12/9.

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner


Select information on postgraduate fellowships


Check Out SJI's Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker 


New J.D. Fellowships:

Manne Family Fellowship at the Texas Defender Service
One-year fellowship at the Texas Defender Service, whose mission is to improve the quality of representation afforded to those facing a death sentence and to expose and eradicate the systemic flaws plaguing the Texas death penalty. Due 12/31.

Excelsior New York State Service Fellowship
This fellowship for 3Ls seeking to serve in New York State government is moving forward for 2022. Applications are due by 1/31. Information sessions will be held on 1/20 at 12:30 p.m. and 1/25 at 5 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please email Rachel Pauley. 

Other Deadlines:

2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships

These $25,000 fellowships  are open to 2Ls who intend to pursue racial justice legal work after graduation and/or 2Ls who are from racially underrepresented groups and intend to pursue other social justice legal work after graduation.  Note: Fellows receive their funding in the fall of their 3L year. Deadline: February 25, 2022.

3Ls: Public Service Bridge Loan

The Public Service Bridge Loan provides public interest 3Ls an LRAP-eligible loan ($10,000 max.) for bar course registration and other postgraduate living expenses. The application is due 5/13.

Connect with the Public Interest/Public Service Council


The council is a large group of senior alumni who are experts and leaders (past and present) in the public interest and government sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad. Students interested in connecting with a council member should email SJI Dean Erica Smock.
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