Public Interest

Post-Grad Fellowships | Start Your Application Now!

Class of 2024, are you interested in a career in public service after graduation? Apply for a project-based fellowship! We are quickly approaching several deadlines. Skadden Fellowship applications are due 9/8/23 and EJW Design-Your-Own Fellowship applications are due 9/12/23.

If you are interested in a post-grad fellowship, now is the time to start working on your application. Below are the dates for upcoming information sessions for popular fellowships:

Skadden Fellowship Information Session for Applicants: Monday, July 24 @ 12pm CST

EJW Fellowship | How to Apply & Tips to Succeed: Wednesday, July 12 at 10am CST


Feel free to schedule an appointment to discuss fellowship options with Merce’de Savala via Symplicity to discuss your options. Make your plan today!

Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum + PILI Educational Summer Series

2023 Summer Forum Keynote Nicole Austin-Hillery

The Washington Council of Lawyers annual Summer Pro Bono and Public Interest Forum encourages summer associates and summer interns to make pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers and provides an introduction to several different types of public-interest practice.

The 2023 Summer Forum features an in-person and live-streamed keynote luncheon with Nicole Austin-Hillery, President & CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. followed by six virtual practice area panel discussions that introduce lawyers and law students to pro bono and public-interest career options and volunteer opportunities.  Panel Discussion still remaining:

  • Civil Rights & Civil Liberties – Thursday, June 22 from 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • Immigration & Human Rights – Thursday, June 22 from 1:15-2:30 pm ET

The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice.

REGISTER


PILI Educational Seminar Series

Are you a law student intern or fellow serving at a public interest or government agency this summer? You’re also invited to attend PILI’s Educational Seminar Series as all law student interns and fellows are invited to attend most of these programs, regardless of whether you receive PILI funding. Advance registration for each program is required regardless of in-person or virtual attendance. See a list of all upcoming programming open to all interns and fellows. Register for virtual links.

Coming Up:

6.27 | Best Practices for Inclusion of People with Disabilities

7.6 | Serving with Excellence in Legal Aid : Understanding Implicit Bias

7.12 | Public Interest Law Career Path

7.19 |Post-Grad Fellowships: From Pipe Dream to Project in Action

2023 Summer Forum Preview: Environmental Justice & Poverty Law Panels

Summer is almost here and so is our annual Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum. Each year, we encourage summer associates and summer interns to make pro bono or public-interest work a part of their legal careers. Through an introduction in a variety of public-interest practice, we hope to inspire attendees to follow their passions and uplift their communities!

Graphic: Summer Forum Keynote Speaker Nicole Austin-Hillery

Our events feature many exciting topics, including an all new Environmental Law panel!

Here’s a preview of what you have to look forward to…

  • June 8 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 8 – Environmental Justice – 1:15-2:30 pm ET
  • June 15 – Poverty Law – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 15 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty – 1:15 – 2:30 pm ET
  • June 22 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties – 12:00-1:15 pm ET
  • June 22 – Immigration & Human Rights – 1:15 – 2:30 pm ET

Take a look at these upcoming panels to see the incredible leaders that are speaking and the nuanced topics they are tackling!

The impact of environmental law is felt by a variety of communities and interest areas. Traverse this wide reaching area of law with our panel of experts. Delve into the research and analysis that informs the community on pressing environmental and natural resource issues in the U.S. and globally with John Pendergrass, Senior Vice President at the Environmental Law Institute. Dig into the roots of experiential learning and climate justice advocacy with Christine Appah, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Justice Law at Cardozo School of Law and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Climate at the Columbia Climate School. Discover the connection between business and environmental justice with Stacey Sublett Halliday of Beveridge & Diamond.  Learn more about these incredible leaders here

Graphic: Summer Forum 2023 Environmental Justice
Graphic: Summer Forum 2023 Poverty Law Panel

Join us as we explore the wide-ranging legal issues individuals living in poverty face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country. Uncover the impact that poverty has on survivors of domestic violence with Aida Vindell, Co-Legal Director of the Domestic Violence Program at DC Volunteer Lawyers Project. Explore the interconnected nature of poverty and the issues faced by seniors in our community with Sébastien Monzón Rueda a Staff Attorney with the AARP Foundation Litigation. Unlock the diverse knowledge of Harmony Jones, Pro Bono Counsel, at Steptoe & Johnson. Bring to light the benefits of the Healthy Together medical-legal partnership that works to find and fix the root causes of a child’s health problem with Tracy Goodman the leader of the Healthy Together program at Children’s Law Center. 

Learn more about these fantastic panelists here

Connect all month long on social media using the hashtag #SumFo23 to let us know your thoughts on these important topics!

2 Resources 2 Get You Through The Summer

Summer Networking w/ Employers

Employers want to connect with you this summer ahead of 2L recruiting. Here is a list of upcoming employer hosted receptions and event in your summer city, as well as your target cities. This list is updated regularly, so keep checking back for updates. Don’t forget… RSVP early!

Summer Job Fairs [ Class of 2024 & 2025]

Take a look at this summer’s job fairs. Check out the websites to see if your target employers are participating. think broad in your employment search. Remember, you can apply across all programs and directly to your target employers. Updates will be made as we become aware of job fair opportunities! View list here!

Happening TODAY: 1L SPIP Virtual Info Session @ 3PM

Join Career Strategist Merce’de Savala, today at 3PM CT as she hosts a virtual informational session on Zoom for 1L students that have applied for the 1L Summer Public Interest Program. She will discuss what jobs qualify for the program, how to register with the Human Resources system (workday) and I-9 verification, and how to ensure you receive your payment.

The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Program (1L SPIP) is part of WashU Law’s commitment to supporting our students who choose to pursue careers in government and public interest law by providing financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to work in an unpaid government or public interest internship over the summer.  Through 1L SPIP, WashU Law offers funding of up to $3,000 (less taxes) for law students in need who work full time in eligible positions for a minimum of six weeks (or, roughly 200 hours) and complete a 1L SPIP application.

An eligible position is one in which you are:

  • Working for the public interest in a legal, policy, legislative, or advocacy setting under legal supervision, and in a position where at least one year of law school is required; and
    • Working for a non-profit organization;
    • Working for a government office; or
    • Working in a judicial externship/internship program; and
  • Working in a position where you are not receiving payment intended to compensate you for work performed during the internship, whether from your place

ALL 1L STUDENTS WHO HAVE APPLIED OR ARE THINKING OF APPLYING FOR THE SPIP PROGRAM ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! RSVP on Symplicity.