From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: March 21, 2024
Subject: Making the Most of Your Summer, Skadden Fellowship Session, and More


Columbia Law School Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS)
Newsletter: Photo of Tory standing with her hand on her hip, looking at the camera, slightly smiling. She is wearing glasses, a blue patterned blouse, and a dark oversized sweater. The photo has been edited to remove the background, and a cartoon-like ill

Meet Tory Messina, Senior Career Adviser!

Reach out to her for info on LRAP, moving from the private to the public sector, and civil rights law firms. Learn about the activism that energizes her outside of work... 

And register for her event on navigating career transitions!

Programs and Events

Public Interest Monday: Making the Most of Your 1L Summer

Monday, Mar. 25
12:10-1:10 p.m. in JG 103
Register

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

Skadden Fellowship Info Session and Consultations

Tuesday, Mar. 26
12:10-1:10 p.m. in WJW 209
Register

Any J.D. student planning on working in public interest after graduation is strongly encouraged to attend this session about the Skadden Fellowship, which supports public interest work with a host organization. Skadden Foundation Director Kathleen Rubenstein will provide valuable information about the fellowship, its project requirements, and the application process. An alum will talk about their experience as a Skadden. Lunch will be provided.
 

Consultations with Kathleen Rubenstein
After the session, Kathleen Rubenstein will be available for individual appointments. This is a valuable opportunity to learn get insight into how best to position your application. Spots are limited! Sign up.


Skadden applications are due in Sept. 2024. You will be eligible to apply if you will be a 3L or a judicial clerk at that time.
 

Save the Date!

Apr. 2: Equal Justice Works Fellowship Info Session
12:10-1:10 p.m. online

Public Sector Everything:
3L Drop-Ins with PIPS, OFA, and OJC

Wednesday, Mar. 27
2-4 p.m. in WJW 415 and 416

Third-year students, bring your questions for the Offices of Judicial Careers, Public Interest/Public Sector Careers, and Financial Aid. How to complete your Bridge Loan application, plan for post-graduation job transitions, and more!

Coffee, tea, and cookies provided. No RSVP required.

Zigzag: Moving Between the Public and Private Sectors

Thursday, Mar. 28
12:10-1:10 p.m. in JG 103
Register

Your career path is not predestined—you can change direction as you go. Join OPSC and the PI/PS Office as graduates share how they navigated career transitions, landed in their new positions, and made sector switches. They will discuss private law firms, clerkships, government, work with litigation and advocacy nonprofits, and more. Lunch will be provided.

Save the Date!
Faculty Salon with Professors Bulman-Pozen and Huntington

Monday, Apr. 15
12:10 - 1:10 p.m. in JG 546
Register at least five days in advance to prevent food waste


Professors Jessica Bulman-Pozen and Clare Huntington will join a small group of students for lunch. Chat with them about their career paths, courses, and scholarship, with a focus on the latest developments at the intersection of reproductive rights and administrative law. Come ready to ask questions!

 

Limited seating, so register asap!

Interested in Social Justice?

Regardless of where you will work after graduation, you should join the Columbia Public Interest Community!
Upcoming Deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

Apr. 19: Manne/Texas Civil Rights Project
May 2: J.D. Pathways
Jun. 19: Enhanced LRAP
 

Other

May 10: 3L Bridge Loan

The PI/PS Office Is Here for You

Make an advising appointment on Symplicity

Joel Dodge
Postgraduate Fellowships, Public Interest Lawyering

Jean Fischman
Berger Fellows

Emily Harris
Public Defense, General 1L Advising

Alex Hogan
Government

Kerry McLean
Human Rights, Public International Law, HRIP

Tory Messina
Career Transitions, LRAP, Public Interest Law Firms, General 1L Advising

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

Grace Shim
Employment, Housing, Civil Rights, Nonprofit Management, Mediation, General 1L Advising

Full staff list and bios
News and Notes

Summer Internships


ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty Curtin Justice Fellowship
Pays a $3,500 stipend to spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. Deadline: Mar. 29

Hot Jobs for Students Still Seeking Summer Internships
Postgraduate Fellowship Corner

New! Enhanced LRAP Fellowships

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 law school tuition for fellows whose annual income does not exceed $100,000. Deadline for current 3Ls: Jun. 19. Note: 3Ls who will clerk after graduation should apply in the spring before their clerkship ends.
 

Also for 3Ls 

J.D. Pathways Fellowships

Funds work at a host organization in the U.S. or abroad for one year. Deadline: May 2.
 

Manne Fellowship with the Texas Civil Rights Project

Funds one year of work with this community lawyering organization that works in and out of the courts to serve the movement for equality and justice in Texas. Deadline: Apr. 19
 

Info Sessions

Skadden Fellowship and Meetings with Individual Students
Mar. 26 at 12:10 p.m.

Equal Justice Works
Apr. 2 at 12:10 p.m.
 

Resources

Other Funding Opportunities

3L Bridge Loan
LRAP-eligible loan for pre-bar expenses. Due May 10.

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

MAX Scholarship Opportunities
MAX automatically enters students into scholarship drawings if they complete online financial education or attend events.

The Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (the PI/PS Office) inspires and prepares students and graduates to pursue public service and public interest work throughout their careers anywhere in the world.

Staff List