From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: November 3, 2022
Subject: SJI Monday: Full Employment, LL.M. Fellowships Panel, 1L Drop-Ins


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:
Fighting for Full Employment with Skanda Amarnath ’22

Monday, Nov. 7, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
JG 101
Register

While in law school, Skanda Amarnath '22 helped found the think tank Employ America, which advocates for a full employment economy. The organization has quickly grown to influence policymaking at the White House, in Congress, and at the Federal Reserve. Learn about economic policy issues and how Skanda, now Employ America's exective director, is using his legal training to advocate for better economic policy across government. Lunch will be provided.

LL.M. Fellowships Panel—Virtual

Thursday, Nov. 10, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register for Zoom

Learn how to apply for Columbia postgraduate fellowship funding. Current and past LL.M. fellows will discuss application process and their fellowship experiences, and SJI staff will discuss key aspects of the fellowships.

1L Drop-In Advising

Thursday, Nov. 10, 1:10-3 p.m.
WJW 8th Floor
No Registration Needed

For 1Ls only. SJI advisers are available to answer career questions and advise on resumes and cover letters. No appointment needed. Come drop by WJW 8th Floor!

SJI Monday:
Lawyering for Change with Professor Susan Sturm

Monday, Nov. 14, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
JG 101
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.

Coming Up at SJI...

HRI/SJI Film Discussion
Nov. 16, 12:10 p.m.

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.

Apply for a Pro Bono Caravan by Thursday

We are pleased to offer 22 pro bono caravans this spring break, including both in-person and remote opportunities. You may apply for up to four caravans at this time. Applications are due Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.

Read about the caravans, host organizations, funding, and application instructions.

Unless otherwise noted, the caravans are open to J.D.s and LL.M.s and qualify for both the Columbia 40-hour and New York State 50-hour pro bono requirement.

1L Mandatories

  • Deadline to complete all mandatory checklist items: Dec. 8.
  • To make an advising appointment on Symplicity, you must complete the Job Search Strategies and Resume Training Modules.
  • For the Interviewing Webinar, you can choose to watch the government or general public interest video.
Questions? Visit the 1L Professional Pathways page or email Chaula Shukla, assistant director of 1L professional development advising.
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. 10 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to apply for a Spring Break Pro Bono Caravan
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)

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

Also @ Columbia (and Beyond)

Movement Lawyering and Economic Justice
BLSA and the Law and Political Economy Society
Nov. 7, 5 p.m.

Corporate Power and Private "Courts"
Nov. 9, 6 p.m.

Democracy's Futures: Data & Technology
Nov. 10, 4:20 p.m.

Beyond the Casebook: Hot Topics in Family Law
Nov. 16, 12:10 p.m.

Attack on Bodily Autonomy: Health Policy and Anti-Trans Legislation
Nov. 16, 1 p.m.

Democracy's Futures: War & Militarism
Nov. 17, 4:20 p.m.

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