From: Rebecca Hinde
Date: February 17, 2022
Subject: Is EIP for Me, Project-Based Fellowships, Public Defender Hiring


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School
Events and Programs

Is EIP for Me If I’m a Public Interest Student?

February 22, 12:10-1:10 p.m. in JG 106
Register

Committed to public interest law but unsure if you should do EIP? Join us for a lunch panel featuring upperclass students, each pursuing a public interest career, who faced that same question. Hear their experiences, the reasons behind the choices they made, and their thoughts looking back. Sponsored by SPIN and SJI. Lunch will be served.

1L Public Interest Career Nights

First-year J.D. students, watch for an email about our upcoming Public Interest Career Nights with practitioners!

Interested in Working in DC?

Applications for the fall 2022 Externship on the Federal Government: Semester in Washington, DC are due on Friday. The externship is open to 3Ls in the fall and 2Ls and 3Ls in the spring. Externs apply to participating federal government law offices or DC-based nonprofits on a guided basis. Nicole Tortoriello '16, Lecturer in Law, will oversee placements, including the application process and term-time counseling.

Save the Dates:

Project-Based Fellowships Information Session

March 1, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
 

Public Defender Panel on Hiring

March 10, 12:10-1:10 p.m.

Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines
 

Postgraduate Fellowships

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
Feb. 25: DC Externship Application
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

Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund

The Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund will award three $1,000 grants to help offset the costs associated with the period of time between graduation and taking the Bar Exam/employment, plus free National LGBTQ+ Bar Association membership. Apply by 4/1.
 

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner


J.D. Pathways Public Interest and Government Fellowships

Members of the J.D. Class of 2022 who demonstrate serious commitment to and preparation for careers as public interest, government, or human rights lawyers are eligible. Recipients work at a qualifying host organization in the U.S. or abroad for one year. Deadline: May 2
 

Other Deadlines

Leebron: 3/1 for LL.M.s.
Human rights in the U.S. or abroad

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  (J.D., LL.M.)

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

Resources

Introduction to Postgraduate Fellowships (Video)

Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

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