From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: February 3, 2022
Subject: SJI Monday, Pro Bono Q&A, Army JAG


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School

Meet Nadine Mompremier, Assistant Director of Pro Bono and Summer Programs

"It’s incredibly rewarding to help kick off your legal career."
Events and Programs

Event Video:
Introduction to Postgraduate Fellowship Opportunities

Watch

Postgraduate fellowships serve as one of the main entry points into a public interest or public service career, and there are many of them! For 2Ls thinking about public interest positions that will begin in fall 2023, as well as 3Ls who will seek a fellowship following a clerkship, it's time to understand the fellowship landscape and begin your planning.

 

Army JAG and Summer Internship Info Session

February 8, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Major Amanda McMenamin will discuss Army Judge Advocate General Corps active duty applications and opportunities and the 1L Summer Internship. 

The 1L Summer Internship Program (summer 2022) application will close on February 18, 2022.  The current application cycle for Active Duty opened on January 3, 2022 and will close on March 25, 2022. Only those who did not apply for the fall cycle may apply for this spring cycle.

Columbia Summer Funding Mandatory Payment Session with HR and Financial Aid

February 10, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Representatives from SJI, Human Resources, and Financial Aid will be present to discuss paperwork and payment logistics, and answer your questions about the summer payment process.

Pro Bono Q&A Session

February 11, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Join the Director of Pro Bono Programs as she discusses and answers questions regarding the Law School Pro Bono Requirement and the graduation deadline, along with the NYS Pro Bono Requirement and the documents needed for bar admission. While this program is geared towards 3Ls, we encourage 2Ls to join and get started on completing the requirement.

Add Yourself to OCI (1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls)

The Virtual On-Campus Interview Program has started, but some participating employers still have open spots on their schedule. Check Symplicity for employers, dates, and instructions.

ICYMI: New Resources

Updated Columbia Law School Funding Resource
A spreadsheet of internal and external funding opportunities (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, summer funding, grants, and loans) that are available to and/or exist specifically for Columbia Law School students.

Public Interest/Public Service Curricular Guidelines
Guidance on choosing classes and activities that offer the knowledge and skills needed for particular areas of public interest or public service. Note: not an exhaustive list; consult the Law School Curriculum Guide search tool for up-to-date offerings.

SJI's List of Resources in Support of Racial Equality
Intended to serve as a starting point for Law School community members interested in this work or to supplement resources members are already using. Suggest a resource.

Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines
 

Postgraduate Fellowships

Feb 7: Leebron (J.D.s only)
Mar 1: Leebron (LL.M.s only), Global Public Service, Haas
Mar 14: LL.M. Pathways
 

Other

Feb. 25: 2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships
Mar. 1: 3L Deadline to complete and register pro bono hours on Lawnet

SJI Is Here for You

Make an advising appointment

Joel Dodge
Postgraduate Fellowships, Public Interest Lawyering

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

Kerry McLean
Human Rights, Public International Law, HRIP

Tory Messina
Career Transitions, LRAP, Public Interest Law Firms

Nadine Mompremier
Pro Bono, Summer Funding

Devi Patel
PI/PS Fellows

Chaula Shukla
1Ls

Kiran Singh
Government

Full staff list and bios
News and Notes

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner


Select Deadlines

Leebron: 2/7 for J.D.s, 3/1 for LL.M.s.
Human rights in the U.S. or abroad

LL.M. Pathways: 3/14
Ten to 52 weeks in public interest, government, or human rights

Global Public Service: 3/1
Public interest or intergovernmental work; Asia-based hosts preferred (J.D., LL.M.)

Haas: 3/1
For students from China to work short-term in U.S. public interest
 

Check Out SJI's Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

1Ls: Akin Gump Pro Bono Scholars 

Deadline Is Rolling

Spend 1L summer doing pro bono work at the organization of your choice and 2L summer as an associate at the firm. More

Other Funding
 

2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships

Funding for 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. Fellows receive their funding in the fall of their 3L year. Deadline: 2/25
 

3L Bridge Loan

LRAP-eligible loan($10,000 max.) for public interest 3Ls for bar course registration and other postgraduate living expenses. Deadline: 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