From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: February 2, 2023
Subject: Technology & Privacy Law, Summer Funding Mandatory, and More


Events and Programs

SJI Monday: Technology and Privacy Law

Monday, Feb. 6, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
JG 106
Register

Deputy Director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project Esha Bhandari ’10 will discuss legal issues related to technology and privacy.

Lunch (including vegan and gluten-free options) will be available.

Columbia Summer Funding Mandatory Payment Session with HR & OFA—Virtual

Thursday, Feb. 9, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Representatives from Professional Affairs Administration, Human Resources, and Financial Aid will discuss required paperwork and payment logistics and answer your questions about the summer payment process. Attendance is mandatory for students to participate in the Columbia Summer Funding Program.

SJI Monday: Grads on Public Interest/Civil Rights Law Firms—Virtual

Monday, Feb. 13, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Graduates working at "public interest/civil rights/plaintiff's side" law firms will discuss why they chose a private firm to pursue public interest work. They will share how they selected their firm and make recommendations for students interested in public interest/civil rights firms.

For 1Ls and 2Ls: Public Interest Dine & Learn with Grads

Meet graduates in public interest, public service, or human rights. Over dinner at a local restaurant, learn about their work, their lives, and the paths they took along the way. 

Feb. 15: Impact Litigation
Feb. 23: Gender Justice in Government
Mar. 9: Human Rights

Register ASAP—space is limited!

Get Financial Coaching

Ongoing Through Friday, Mar. 17
Sign up via the CLS coaching link or directly with Mary Bechler

Schedule a one-on-one financial coaching phone call with Financial Counselor Mary Bechler of AccessLex. Discuss credit card debt, budgeting for now and for the future, LRAP's place in your bigger financial picture, and more. (Specific LRAP questions should still go to LRAP@law.columbia.edu.)
 

Upcoming Deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

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

Pro Bono

Mar. 1: Deadline for 3Ls to complete and register their pro bono hours
 

Other

Feb. 27: 2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships 
May 12: Public Service Bridge Loan

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

Headshot of Drew Brazer. He is wearing a blue shirt with a blue sweater. The photo was taken outside; the background is green foliage.Student Spotlight: Drew Brazer

Public Interest/Public Service Fellow Drew Brazer ’24 on civil rights law, experiential learning, and the importance of advocacy.

Spring OCI (J.D.s Only)

There are public sector employers with openings in their interview schedules. Please check the OCI module in Symplicity and refer to emails from Career Services for instructions.

Writing Contest

The University of Pennsylvania Law Review is accepting submissions for the Dorothy E. Roberts Public Interest Essay Competition through Feb. 15. The winner will be awarded $5,000 to implement a public interest project related to the article and a $1,000 prize.


New!
LL.M. Pathways
Funds work at a qualifying host organization in the U.S. or abroad for 10-52 weeks. Due Mar. 13.

Select Deadlines
Download applications

Leebron:
J.D.s Feb. 7, LL.M.s Mar. 1

Global Public Service, Haas:
Mar. 1

Resources

Sign up for fellowship emails for LL.M.s, 3Ls

Intro to Fellowships (Video)

Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

Check out our revamped job search tools page!

Funding

CLS Funding Resources
Internal and external funding available to and/or specifically for CLS students.

3L Bridge Loan
Receive assistance with the costs of bar registration, bar prep, and living expenses. Requires demonstrated commitment to public interest/public service. Due May 12.

Racial and Social Justice Fellowships
Five fellowships of $25,000 for 2Ls who intend to pursue racial justice work after graduation or are from racially underrepresented groups and will pursue other social justice work. Due Feb. 27.

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