From: Rebecca Hinde
Date: November 18, 2021
Subject: LL.M. Holiday Lunch, 2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships, PILC and Pro Bono Deadlines


Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School
Events and Programs

LL.M. Holiday Luncheon

Tuesday, December 7
12:10-1:10 p.m. in WJW 600
Register by December 1

LL.M. students interested in human rights and public interest work are invited to a holiday luncheon with SJI host Kerry McLean, Assistant Director of Human Rights and Public International Law. Join SJI for an informal, in-person gathering to mingle with fellow LL.M.s and unwind as the fall semester comes to a close. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.

Racial and Social Justice Fellowships for 2Ls

These $25,000 fellowships  are open to 2Ls who intend to pursue racial justice legal work after graduation and/or 2Ls who are from racially underrepresented groups and intend to pursue other social justice legal work after graduation.  Note: Fellows receive their funding in the fall of their 3L year. Deadline: February 25, 2022.

1Ls/2Ls/3Ls/LL.M.s: PILC Fair Registration/Application Period Opens December 1

Each year, the Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair hosts 250+ public interest employers who are hiring for summer internships and postgraduate jobs. Starting December 1, you can register and begin uploading your applications. Keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks! 

Things to Know About the PILC Fair:
  • You have until January 13 at 5 p.m. to register and to upload all applications (resume and cover letter).
  • You must use your UNI to register. After your registration is approved (1-2 business days), you can start applying. 
  • Fair interviews and table talks will take place virtually on February 3-4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

1Ls: Complete Your Mandatories by November 30

To remain registered for Columbia Summer Funding, the following must be completed by November 30. If you attended the live sessions, you do not need to rewatch or take the quiz.

Questions? Visit CSF FAQs or email CSFHelp@law.columbia.edu.

And Click Below for Our 1L Summer Public Sector Job Search Tips!

3Ls: Register Your Pro Bono Plan by November 30

November 30 is the deadline to register your Pro Bono Plan to avoid the Pro Bono Compliance hold that may prevent you from participating in the spring add/drop period. Don't have a plan? Schedule an appointment with Nadine Mompremier to get help solidifying a plan to complete the graduation requirement. 

Resource: AccessLex Financial Education Tool

All law school students have access to a comprehensive, on-demand financial education program provided by AccessLex. This free resource provides online primers on topics like setting financial goals, budgeting, and retirement planning. Students can follow curated learning paths laid out by class year (1L, 2L, and 3L/LL.M.) or learn at their own pace and according to their individual interests. Online student loan calculators for current students, prospective students, and graduates also are provided, and students have the option to speak directly with a financial adviser. In order to access this program, register at accesslex.org/max-by-accesslex.

Upcoming Deadlines
A non-exhaustive list of upcoming student deadlines

Pro Bono

Nov. 30: Deadline for 3Ls who haven't completed their pro bono to register their Pro Bono Plan
 

Summer Funding

Nov. 30: Deadline for 1Ls to complete Mandatory Modules 1-5 and upload resume to CLS Connect
 

Postgraduate Fellowships

Jan. 14: Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman
Jan. 21: Kirkland & Ellis
 

Other

Feb. 25: 2L Racial and Social Justice Fellowships

SJI Is Here for You

We're back in person on the 8th floor of Big Warren, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-Person Availability

Dean Erica Smock: Tuesdays, Thursdays, some Mondays and Fridays

Joel Dodge: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Postgraduate Fellowships, Public Interest Lawyering

Solmaz Firoz: Remote only
1Ls, LL.M.s, Public Defense

Kerry McLean: Wednesdays, Fridays
Human Rights, Public International Law, HRIP

Nadine Mompremier: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
Pro Bono, Summer Funding

Devi Patel: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
PI/PS Fellows

Rachel Pauley: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Government

Kiran Singh: Mondays or Wednesdays
Government/Prosecution

Tory Messina: Thursdays
Career Transitions, LRAP, Public Interest Law Firms

Other Staff: Please email

Full Staff List and Bios

We’d love to meet you in-person on the days we are in! Please note that we are still available via Zoom on other days, and you still must schedule advising appointments on Symplicity.
News and Notes

Postgraduate Fellowship Corner

Select information on postgraduate fellowships

New for 3Ls:

The Public Rights Project/Justice Catalyst Fellowship is a one-year, potentially renewable project-based fellowships to support innovative affirmative litigation and enforcement work in state, local, and tribal government offices. Deadline: 12/1

The Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann Public Interest Fellowship provides the opportunity to work in a litigation role at a public interest organization for two years before joining the firm’s world class investor-side litigation practice. It is open to 3Ls and graduates from the two most recent J.D. classes. Deadline: 1/14

Other 3L Deadlines:

Also at Columbia

National Security Law Summer Internship Panel
11/22., 12:10-1:10 p.m.
 

3Ls: Public Service Bridge Loan

The Public Service Bridge Loan provides public interest 3Ls an LRAP-eligible loan ($10,000 max.) for bar course registration and other postgraduate living expenses. The application is due 5/13.

Connect with the Public Interest/Public Service Council

The council is a large group of senior alumni who are experts and leaders (past and present) in the public interest and government sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad. Students interested in connecting with a council member should email SJI Dean Erica Smock.
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