From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: March 16, 2023
Subject: Public Defender Postgrad. Hiring, Skadden Fellowship, LRAP Session


1Ls and 2Ls: Still Seeking a Summer Internship?


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

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.

1L Drop-Ins This Week


9:30-10:30 a.m. each day in the WJW lobby
Tuesday, Mar. 21
Wednesday, Mar. 22
Thursday, Mar. 23

1Ls are invited to stop by the Big Warren lobby for informal drop-ins with SJI advisers. Bring your questions!

Skadden Fellowship Info Session and Consultations


Tuesday, Mar. 21
12:10-1:10 p.m. in WJW 309
Register

Any 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 Executive Director Kathleen Rubenstein will provide valuable information about the fellowship, and Skadden Fellow Patricia Okonta '18 will talk about her experience.

There will be a Q&A, so bring at least one good question!

Individual Consultations

After the session, Kathleen Rubenstein will be available to meet with students to discuss their project ideas and applications. Space is limited, so sign up early.

Lunch will be provided. Register now so we know how much food to order. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

LRAP Updates and Resources


Thursday, Mar. 23
12:10-1:10 p.m. on Zoom
Register

The Office of Financial Aid will provide clear information on Columbia's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Learn about the latest improvements, the three LRAP tracks, and "Enhanced LRAP," and more. Email questions in advance or bring them to the program. 

Cosponsored by SPIN and the Office of Financial Aid.

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


Monday, Mar. 27
12:10-1:10 p.m. in JG 106
Register

For 1Ls interested in pursuing a 2L summer internship in public defense, the hiring season starts in the late summer/early fall. Learn about the hiring process from a panel of 2Ls who went through the process and will be joining public defender offices this summer.

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

Upcoming Deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

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

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.

Also @ Columbia (and Beyond)

Join Professor Katherine Franke's Gender Justice Class
Tuesdays through Apr. 25
4:20-6:10 p.m.
Professor Franke will open her class to the public and feature a guest speaker.

James Irungu Mwangi: Unleashing the Green Giant
Mar. 21, 4 p.m.

Screening of Art & Krimes
Mar. 21, 6 p.m.

HRI Presents: Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
Mar. 22, 12 p.m.

Defending Communities Against Environmental Hazards
Mar. 22, 12:10 p.m.

Democracy, Rule of Law and the Digital Space
Mar. 22, 12:10 p.m.

Las Abogadas: Film Screening and Conversation
Mar. 23, 6 p.m.

Brazil as a Laboratory of Fascist Insurrection
Mar. 28, 12:10 p.m.

Legality and Authoritarian Legality in China
Mar. 28, 12:15 p.m.

Panel: Career Opportunities at the FTC
Mar. 28, 1 p.m.

Repatriating Looted Art and Artifacts
Mar. 29, 12 p.m.

Careers in Law Teaching Series
Wednesdays through the end of March

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

J.D. Pathways:
May 2

Resources

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

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
Statement from the SJI Racial Justice Committee