From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: September 9, 2021
Subject: New Job Search Tools, SCOTUS Round-Up, Sandler HRW Fellowship


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School
Events and Programs

Lawyers, Community and Impact: SCOTUS Round-Up

Monday, September 13
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Zoom (see email invitation)

Please join Katherine Franke, James L. Dohr Professor of Law, Kate Andrias, Professor of Law, Kerrel Murray, Associate Professor of Law, and Ashraf Ahmed, Academic Fellow and Lecturer in Law for a discussion about key Supreme Court decisions from the past term year, with a look ahead at what to expect in October term 2021. This discussion will be moderated by Dean Andrea Saavedra and Dean Gillian Lester will offer opening remarks.

Please check your email for the Zoom link.

Sandler/Human Rights Watch Fellowship Information Session

Wednesday, September 15
12:10pm - 1:10pm
Zoom
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Human Rights Watch will join SJI to give pointers about applying for the Sandler Fellowship, which enables a J.D. graduate to spend one year in either the organization's New York or Washington, DC office. Fellows typically monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy aimed at publicizing and curtailing human rights violations. The fellowship application is due October 8.
RSVP

1L Mandatory Programs

Check your inboxes for registration to next week's 1L Mandatory Programs and an Introduction to Careers video.

Must watch to gain access to Symplicity:

  • Job Search Strategies (September 20, 12:10-1:10 p.m.)
  • Developing Your Legal Resume (September 23, 12:10-1:10 p.m.)
Coming later: Must watch to register for Columbia Summer Funding:
  • Crafting Your Cover Letter
  • Public Interest and Government Interviewing

New Career Resources

The 2022 Public Interest Job Search Toolkit is now online, along with the supplements for LL.M.s and for students seeking international work. Visit the SJI Job Search Tools page (your new best friend!), then "Basic Job Search Tools."

What will you find?

  • Sample resumes and cover letters for 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, LL.M.s, grads
  • Job search timelines, semester by semester
  • Networking and interview tips
  • Lots more

What Else Is Coming Up?

Watch for information on events and new resources, such as:

  • SJI Mondays: informal talks by practitioners public interest, government, or human rights. 
  • Video Release: Fellowship Overview for J.D.s and LL.M.s
  • How Summer Funding Works
  • Transitioning from Public Interest to Big Law
  • Financing a Public Sector Career Panel
Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines
 

Postgraduate Fellowships

Sept. 10: Skadden Fellowship
Sept. 20: EJW Fellowship
Oct. 8: Sandler/Human Rights Watch
Date TBA: Norton Rose Fellowship at the Door
Nov. 1: Singer Fellowship
Nov. 15: Millstein Fellowship
 

Other

Sept. 13: EJW Career Fair Deadline to Apply for Interviews
Oct. 4: Spring DC Externship Application
 

SJI Is Here for You

We're back in person on the 8th floor of Big Warren. The office is open weekdays from 9 am. to 5 p.m.


In-Person Availability
Dean Erica Smock: Tuesdays, Thursdays, some Mondays and Fridays

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

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 must still schedule advising appointments on Symplicity.
News and Notes
Postgraduate Fellowship Corner
Select information on postgraduate fellowships


Upcoming 3L Deadlines

  • EJW: 9/20
  • Sandler/Human Rights Watch: 10/8
  • Norton Rose Fellowship at the Door: Typically due in October
  • Singer : 11/1
  • Millstein: 11/15

Info Sessions

CLS Fellowships

Explore fellowships open to J.D.s and LL.M.s

Videos

@ Columbia and Beyond

Equal Justice Works Career Fair
The deadline to apply to interview at the fair is 9/13. The fair will be held online 10/21-10/23. Columbia is covering the cost of student registration; you will not need to pay when you register. Participating employers
 
Creating Authentic Connections Workshop
9/13, 3-4:30 p.m.

Global@CLS
9/14, 12:10 p.m.

Did You Participate in Summer Funding?

We’re always looking for ways to make the process more efficient and useful to you and future students. Please fill out this survey by September 10 to provide us with feedback on your experience.

Meet the 1L Public Interest/Public Service Fellows!

They join the 2L and 3L cohorts as they pursue public interest, human rights, and government careers together.

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