From: Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers
Date: November 28, 2022
Subject: SJI Monday: Disability Rights, PILC Fair Info Session, Pro Bono Deadline


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School

It's Our Last Newsletter of the Semester...

From everyone at SJI, good luck on exams! We hope you have a relaxing break. We are open over the break and available for advising. And watch for a special January newsletter with everything you need to be ready for spring!

Events and Programs

Today! SJI Monday: Disability Rights—Virtual

Monday, Nov. 28, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Join SJI and guest speakers for a conversation about the human rights of people with disabilities, with a look at developments in the U.S. and across the globe.

PILC Fair Information Session—Virtual

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 12:10-1:10 p.m.
Register

Registration for the Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair opens on December 1! PILC hosts 250+ public interest employers and will be held virtually Feb. 2-3. During this information session, we will provide an overview of the fair and explain how to register, how and when to apply, and what to expect from the fair. We strongly encourage anyone planning to participate in the PILC Fair to attend!

The Door Fellowship Info Session—Virtual

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 6-6:45 p.m.
Register

Learn about the Norton Rose Fulbright-sponsored fellowship at The Door Legal Services Center, open to graduating J.D.s. Maureen Schad, senior counsel and manager of Norton Rose Fulbright Pro Bono Initiatives, along with Gina Starfield and Magdalena Oropeza, both current Door Fellows, will discuss the fellowship and their experience at the Door. Applications are due Dec. 2.

Wednesday, Nov. 30:
3L Pro Bono Deadline


3Ls who plan to graduate in May and have not completed their CLS Pro Bono Requirement must share their plans by this date. Failure to do so will result in a hold by Registration Services.

LL.M. Holiday Dinner

Thursday, Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m.
WJW First Fl. Feldberg
Registration REQUIRED

LL.M. students interested in human rights and public international law are invited to the LL.M. Holiday Dinner with SJI host Kerry McLean, Assistant Director of Human Rights and Public International Law. Come to mingle with fellow LL.M. students and unwind as the fall semester comes to a close. Dinner and wine will be provided. Seats are limited, so you must RSVP!

The words "Happy Winter Break! [Heart] SJI!" appear next to cartoon-like graphics of falling snowflakes and a snow person posing with sunglasses and a red bow tie.

1L Summer Job Search Update

You Can Now Apply for Summer Jobs! 

As noted in our Job Search Toolkit, we recommend starting with a list of 15-20 employers to apply to over the next couple of months, directly and through job fairs.

The Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair, which hosts 250+ public interest employers, will be held online Feb. 2-3.

Between Dec. 1 and Jan. 12, you can register for PILC and apply to interview with employers. Watch for details in coming weeks. And don't miss the PILC Fair Info Session on Nov. 30!

Do not relying solely on PILC to find a summer job. Make an appointment with an SJI adviser—the sooner, the better—to construct a plan.
 


1L Resume and Cover Letter Review Portal

Applying for public sector internships? Submit your resume and one cover letter to SJI's 1L Portal for quick review.

About the 1L Portal:
  • Materials must be in the format outlined in our Toolkit.
  • Expect feedback in three to five business days.
  • We do not review judicial internship materials; instead, contact the Office of Judicial Clerkships.
  • The portal is separate from the summer funding requirement to submit your resume on CLS Connect. To receive feedback, you must submit your resume to the portal.
  • The portal will be closed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4.
Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines

Postgraduate Fellowships

Dec. 2: Norton Rose/The Door
Dec. 4: Millstein Financial Regulation
Dec. 4: Millstein Government Service
Dec. 9: Social Justice Legal Foundation Hueston Hennigan Fellowship
 

1L Mandatories

Dec. 8: Deadline to complete mandatory items on checklist
 

Pro Bono

Nov. 30: 3Ls who plan to graduate in May and have not completed their CLS Pro Bono Requirement must share their plans by this date. Failure to do so will result in a hold by Registration Services.
 

Other

Nov. 30: Themis bar prep scholarship deadline
Nov. 30: Human Rights Internship Program deadline
Dec. 1-Jan. 12: Apply to interview with PILC Employers

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

Congratulations, Imani Thornton! 

Imani has been named the 2023 Singer Social Justice Fellow! The fellowship helps to launch the social justice career of a J.D. who demonstrates the commitment, ability, and preparation to make a difference as a public interest lawyer.

As a fellow, Imani will spend two years with the ACLU of Illinois developing strategic litigation to address violations of the right to counsel for indigent criminal defendants under the Sixth Amendment.

Need Resume Samples? Interview Tips?

Check out our revamped job search tools page!

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner


Info Session
Norton Rose/The Door Fellowship
Nov. 29, 6 p.m.

Select Deadlines
Norton Rose/The Door Fellowship DEADLINE EXTENDED (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 2

Millstein Financial Regulation (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 4

Millstein Government Service (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 4

Social Justice Foundation Hueston Hennigan Fellowship (J.D.s)
Due Dec. 9

Leebron Human Rights (J.D.s, LL.M.s)
Due Feb. 6 for J.D.s and Mar. 1 for LL.M.s.

Global Public Service (J.D.s, LL.M.s)
Due Mar. 1

Haas Public Service (J.D.s, LL.M.s)
Due Mar. 1

Resources
Sign up for Joel Dodge's fellowship emails for LL.M.s and 3Ls

Intro to Postgraduate Fellowships (Video)

Organization-Based Fellowship Tracker

2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships

Five Racial and Social Justice Fellowships of $25,000 each will be awarded to 2Ls who intend to pursue racial justice legal work after graduation and/or are from racially underrepresented groups and intend to pursue other social justice legal work after graduation. Fellows will receive the funding in the fall of their 3L year. Due Feb. 27.

Funding and Resources


CLS Funding Resources: a spreadsheet of internal and external funding available to and/or specifically for CLS students.

Themis Bar Review Scholarship: for students going into public interest, government, or a clerkship. Apply by Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.

Bar Prep Donation for Public Interest Students: many prep courses (which firms purchase for incoming associates) include a second course that can be donated to a public interest student. Complete this form to participate in a Student Senate program matching firm-bound and public sector students.

Resources on the Supreme Court


Many students have expressed concern about the Supreme Court's current jurisprudential direction and its impact on their career plans. With faculty and student groups, we have developed a list of resources to help you think about these issues. The list is not exhaustive; we welcome your suggestions.
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