From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: April 20, 2023
Subject: Making the Most of Your Summer, what you can expect from SJI, and more


Columbia Law School Social Justice Initiatives

What to Expect from SJI Over the Summer

SJI is here for you all summer. Advising appointments are available, and look out for:

1Ls and 2Ls: 
Info on getting ready for fall and On-Campus Interviewing (sign-up starts in July)

Grads: 
The SJI Alumni Newsletter (sign up) and job alerts (subscribe)

Good luck on exams! And congrats to the Class of 2023!

3Ls: The Enhanced LRAP Application Is Available

Enhanced LRAP Fellowships are awarded to J.D.s who have demonstrated dedication to public interest law. The fellowships cover all loans up to the cost of tuition for fellows whose annual income does not exceed $100,000.

The deadline to apply is Jun. 19. If you are clerking in 2023-2024, however, you should not apply until the spring before your clerkship ends.

Don't forget the Pathways Fellowship (May 2) and Public Service Bridge Loan (May 12) applications!

Events and Programs

Last SJI Monday of the Year:
Making the Most of Your Summer

Monday, Apr. 24
12:10-1:10 p.m. on Zoom
Register

Summer internships hold enormous value! Make the most of yours by joining SJI for the view of summer internships from the other side—the employer's. What do public interest supervisors look for in their interns? What is expected but not said? What stands out? How can you have a rewarding experience and get good assignments, great recommendations, and mentorship? This program is especially recommended for students thinking about public interest careers.

Woo Hoo! Congratulations, Class of 2023! [Heart] Social Justice Initiatives
Upcoming Deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

May 2: J.D. Pathways
Jun. 19: Enhanced LRAP
 

Other

Apr. 24: Externship Applications Due
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

Also @ Columbia (and Beyond)

Webinar: Does Antitrust Help or Hinder Sustainability?
Apr. 25, 12 p.m.

The Clifford Chance Lecture Series: Challenges in Regulating AI
Apr. 25, 12:10 p.m.

Join Professor Katherine Franke's Gender Justice Class
Tuesdays through Apr. 25, 4:20 p.m.
Professor Franke will open her class to the public and feature a guest speaker.

Key Environmental Issues in U.S. EPA Region 2
May 19, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Donate a Bar Prep Course or Receive a Free Course!

Many bar prep courses (which firms will purchase for incoming associates) include a second course that can be donated to a public interest student.

Fill out this Student Senate form to be matched with a classmate who can offer or who needs a bar prep course.

Questions? Email Jermel McClure.

Still Seeking a Summer Internship?


Take a look at our Hot Jobs List of public interest employers still seeking interns. And reach out to an SJI adviser to discuss your search!

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 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

J.D. Pathways:
May 2

Resources

Sign up for fellowship emails for 2Ls

Intro to Fellowships (Video)

Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

Funding Opportunities

MAX 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.

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