From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: March 2, 2023
Subject: Is EIP for Me? and More at SJI This Week


Events and Programs

SJI Monday: Is EIP for Me?

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

Committed to public interest law but unsure if you should do EIP? This panel of upperclass public interest students faced the same question.​ Hear their experiences​, the reasons for the choices they made, and their thoughts looking back. Cosponsor: SPIN

Lunch will be provided; vegan and gluten-free options included.

1L Drop-Ins in Lenfest Cafe

Tuesday, Mar. 7, 9-10 a.m.
Thursday, Mar. 9, 12-1 p.m.

1Ls are invited to stop by Lenfest Cafe for informal drop-ins with SJI advisers. Bring your questions!

Dine and Learn for 1Ls and 2Ls: Human Rights

Tuesday, Mar. 7, 9-10 a.m.
Thursday, Mar. 9, 12-1 p.m.
Register

Meet graduates working in human rights. Over dinner at a local restaurant, learn about their work, their lives, and the paths they took along the way. Space is limited!

Public Defense Brown Bag Lunch Series

With the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

Friday, Mar. 10
12:10-1:10 p.m. on Zoom
Register

Learn more about working in public defense at this virtual brown bag lunch series with public defender offices from across the country.

Future Sessions
Apr. 14
King County Department of Public Defense
Offfice of the Colorado State Public Defender

Coming Up After Spring Break...


SJI Monday: Public Defender Panel on Postgraduate Hiring


Monday, Mar. 20
12:10-1:10 p.m. in JG 106
Register

Are you interested in working as a public defender after you graduate? Join us for a panel discussion on public defender hiring (which typically starts in the early fall of 3L year), featuring current 3Ls who went through the process and will be joining public defender offices this fall.

Lunch will be provided; vegan and gluten-free options included. Please register in advance so we know how much food to order. Other dietary restrictions? Email ev2494@columbia.edu at least five business days in advance.

Other Upcoming Events


Mar. 21
Skadden Fellowship Info Session and Consultations

Mar. 23
LRAP Updates and Resources

Mar. 27
SJI Monday: How to Prepare for 2L Summer Public Defense Hiring

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.)

Reminders for 3Ls

MAY 2
Pathways Fellowship Application
Funds public interest, government, or human rights work for one year, in the U.S. or abroad.

MAY 12
Bridge Loan Application
Supports bar prep expenses; LRAP-eligible.

JUN. 19
Enhanced LRAP Applications
Covers all loans up to the cost of law school tuition for fellows whose annual income does not exceed $100,000.
Upcoming Deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

Mar. 13: LL.M. Pathways
May 2: J.D. Pathways
 

Other

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

Hasan Shafiqullah
Direct Services, Immigration, Housing, Welfare Benefits, LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Full staff list and bios
News and Notes

Scholarship Opportunities

MAX by AccessLex, which provides financial education for law students, automatically enters students into scholarship drawings if they complete online courses or attend events. Check it out!

Parole Advocacy Project Fundraiser:
Mr. Johnson's Return Home

Emma Alzner and Priyanka Radhakrishnan of the Parole Advocacy Project are raising money to help a client who was just granted parole after more than 20 years in prison. Learn more about their client, Mr. Johnson, and help support him as he returns home!

Select Deadlines
Download applications

LL.M. Pathways:
Mar. 13

J.D. Pathways:
May 2

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.

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