fellowships 101

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Fellowships 101. A review of different types of fellowships and the resources on how to find them. Fellowships at W&L Law. Fellowship Advisory Group Members: Prof. George Bent Prof. Johanna Bond Prof. Joan Shaughnessy Lorri Olan Monday, October 4, 2010. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Fellowships 101

A review of different types of fellowships and the resources on how to find themFellowships 101Check all slides; format; flow and design.Print out set with notes for presentation.1Fellowships at W&L LawFellowship Advisory GroupMembers: Prof. George Bent Prof. Johanna Bond Prof. Joan Shaughnessy Lorri Olan

Monday, October 4, 2010

What is a Post-Graduate Fellowship? PurposeBenefitsEntry level public interest job often very hard to getFinancially assist law graduates interested in public interest or pro bono Focus on underrepresented populations and/or specific issues in certain communitiesDevelop fellows professional skills and leadership in a particular legal specialtyLasts a few months to 1-2 yearsSignificant responsibility, quicklyCompensation varies Health benefits, housing allowance, loan repayment assistanceTraining programs and alumni networksPrestige!

Types of Fellowships Organizational Fellowships Project-Based and Entrepreneurial Fellowships Research/Academic Fellowships International Fellowships Firm-Sponsored Public Interest/Pro Bono Fellowships4 Defined positions within existing organizations Usually for one to two years Application is similar to applying for a typical job An organization may offer one or more fellowships each year, but there are hundreds of organizational fellowships availableOrganizational Based FellowshipsParameters of Organizational Fellowships Apply directly to organization Non-profit administers its own fellows No expectation that graduate will stay Rarely does an application require more than a resume, cover letter and references No need to develop an independent project

Organizational Based (Cont)The Womens Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (http://www.wlppfp.org/) GtownAwards 6-8 fellows each year Some placed with nonprofits in DC Issues: Reproductive rights, domestic violence, work and family, employment and sex-based discrimination, Title IX, economic self-sufficiency, gender-based asylum, rights of women with disabilities, and international human rights. Placements may focus on policy, advocacy, outreach and education, litigation, or some combination thereof.After barred, two year domestic violence teaching fellowACLU (www.aclu.org)Applied fellowship in Civil Liberties and National SecurityBrennan FellowshipThurgood Marshall Civil Rights FellowshipHuman Rights Watch (www.hrw.org) Four fellows chosen each year to work in DC or NYC on intl human rightsCenter for Reproductive Rights, United States Legal Fellows in NYCJuvenile Law Center ZubrowFellowship

Funds projects that serve unmet legal needs Applicant designs project in conjunction with existing organization or seeks funding to support new organization Three-way contract Similar to applying for a Foundation Grant Program provides financial and technical support to lawyers working on innovative and effective legal projects

Project-Based FellowshipsRecognizing that many obstacles prevent committed attorneys from practicing public interestlaw, the program provides financial and technical support to lawyers working on innovativeand effective legal projects. The two-year fellowships offer salary and generous loanrepayment assistance; a national training and leadership development program; and otherforms of support during the term of the fellowship.8Examples of Project Based FellowsSkadden (www.skaddenfellowships.org) funded by the firm to support its commitment to public interest work AKA legal peace corps groom new lawyers apprenticeship25 fellowships awarded to graduating law students and outgoing judicial clerks each yearFellows provide legal services to the poor, elderly, homeless and disabled, to those deprived of human rights or civil rights; address issues concerning economic development and community renewal.Salary $46,000 plus benefits plus LRAP

Examples of Project Based (cont)Equal Justice Works (www.equaljusticeworks.org) EJW organizes, trains and supports public service-minded law students summer and post-grad.50 two-year fellowships each year; fellow must bring something new to program to distinguish themselves from staff attorneysA project is a carefully designed initiative that involves innovative, effective legal advocacy on behalf of individuals, groups, or issues that are not adequately represented by some aspect of the legal system. Advocacy may entail a wide range of approaches, including, but not limited to, community legal education, training, and organizing; direct services; litigation; transactional work; and administrative or legislative efforts.

Examples of Project -BasedEchoing Green (www.echoinggreen.org)Provides social entrepreneurs, who have original and compelling ideas for driving social change, with the tools and resources to start new autonomous public service projects or organizations.Two-year stipend of $30,000 per year (total of $60,000 over two years), health and dental insurance coverage, access to the fellowships network of social change makers, and technical assistance. Stipend can be used for any purpose related to the start up of the organization or project.

Project Based (cont)Soros Justice/Advocacy Fellowships (www.soros.org) Established in 1997 by the Open Society Institutes Center on Crime, Communities and Culture. Designed to encourage innovative approaches to crime prevention, strengthen successful criminal justice programs already in place and promote nonpartisan debate on complex criminal justice issues such as juvenile justice and prison reform.10 individuals awarded $48,750 for New York City based projects over 18-month period.

Ashoka Fellowships (www.ashoka.org/home/index.cfm ): Fellowship opportunities around the world to social entrepreneurs who have new ideas to effect social change.12Project Based (cont)New Voices (http://newvoices.aed.org/home.html)solving problems and defending human rights related to the impact on the Gulf Coast of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.15 organizations are awarded a fellow

Institute for Educational Equity and Opportunity (http://www.ifeeo.org/)a one-year fellowship for recent law school graduates to work with a public interest educational equity project or attorney of their choice in the areas of educational equity and opportunity. Must secure a potential position with a sponsoring attorney/organization before submitting an application for a Fellowship. Offers graduate the ability to learn how to teach law in a clinical setting, or work on legal research projects.Some require post-law school experience and/or Current Bar membership Strong academic record requiredResearch/Academic FellowshipsExamples of Teaching Fellowships Environmental Law Institute (www.eli.org) Gibbons Fellow in Public Interest and Constitutional Law - Seton Hall Application deadline is February for following fall. Prefer candidates with clerkship or PI experience. Georgetown University Law Center Graduate Fellowship Program for Future Law Professors Institute for Public Representation - Environmental Fellowship in DC Robert M. Cover Fellowship 2 year position; need 5 + yrs. experience; placement in clinic with time for research and writing. Allows recipients to work on international issues in the U.S. and abroad. Some are not legal fellowships per se but are good opportunities to work on legally-related issues through nongovernmental organizations, universities, and, in some cases, U.S. government agencies.International FellowshipsExamples of Intl FellowshipsFulbright late September deadlineAmnesty International Ralph J. Bunche International Human Rights FellowshipHuman Rights WatchABA Rule of Law InitiativesAmerican Society of International Law Arthur C. Helton Fellowship no later than January 10, 2011Luce Fellowship, http://www.hluce.org/lsprogram.aspx U.S. Agency for Intl Development Democracy Fellows http://wlid.usaid.gov/2402.htm - Nov. deadline Defined positions w/in a law firm or a split time position

Fellow spends a portion of her time in the firm and a portion working at a designated non-profit agency.FIRM SPONSORED PUBLIC INTEREST/PRO BONO FELLOWSHIPSTypes of Firm-Sponsored FellowsLaw firm places fellow with a public interest organizationLaw Firm hires fellow to work exclusively on public interest matters at firm Public interest law firm hires fellow

Resources: NALP Directory of Legal Employers and Harvards guide to public interest law firms

Firms sponsoring fellowsType 1 Placement with organizationFried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobsen2 yrs in litigation at firm followed by 2yr fellowship with MALDEF or NAACP LDF

Type 2 Placement at firm to work pro bonoCovington & Burling, DCDesigned to alleviate understaffing at Neighborhood Legal Services

The Bernabei Law Firm, PLLC DC1 yr civil rights litigation fellow in labor and employment law

Hunton & Williams Pro Bono Fellowship Richmond and Atlanta2 yr fellowship devoted to pro bono work

Type 3 Placement with public interest law firmThomas Emerson Fellowship at David Rosen & Assocs New Haven, CTUsually 1yr working on civil and human rights and tort cases involving injury or death.

Fellowship PreparationGoals Who do you want to work with? Juveniles, homeless, immigrants?What do you want to do? Counseling, education, advocacy?When do you want to start?Where do you want to work? Where in the world? Where do you want to spend your days (courtroom, classroom, office?)Why are you doing this objective?How do you like to work multitask? Solo, group projects? Develop a timeline to help guide you (network, course selection, job placements)

Research PEOPLE RESOURCESContact alumni and faculty with fellowship experienceLet them know your interests and ask for their ideas/contactsContact potential host organizations for project based proposals to discuss your ideasStart your research early, particularly for project based fellowships.Make sure the organizations or fellowships you select match with your project proposal - Review projects of current fellows to get a sense of what the funding organization likes to support

Qualifications: sponsoring firms usually looking for associate hiring criteria, organizations looking for commitment to mission/experienceApplication Prep (cont)Deadlines usually early Fall of third year. Create calendar of deadlines for opportunities that interest you include application componentsApplication requirements: resume, transcript, personal statement and recommendations get them done early. Opportunity to tackle a large portion of the application early and in a timely fashion.Abide by all guidelines and instructions more is not always better (fancy package, limit on recommendations, etc)Paper applications guide your readers, label with headers and sub-headings, if ask for information twice, it is for a reason. Never underestimate the power of a personal statementStart writing some are long and detailed EJW can be 12 single spaced pages. Applications (cont)Host Organization communicate early and often Research organizations financially stable? Related work/expertise?2L summer placements are great potential host organizationsUse staff (including development folks) to assist you to identify issues, provide boilerplate language on organizations mission for your application.Have staff review your proposal are there holes, do they have questions about your project or their role? Address them in the application!

InterviewsINTERVIEW PREPARATION

Arrange mock interview with member of Advisory Group submit proposal and lingering questions about your application before hand.Speak with former fellows, W&L alumni and non-alumniResearch interviewersReview application and gather new, relevant data and informationPractice, practice, practice

Researching BasicsPSLAWNET.ORGIn the fellowship corner database, click on Search Opportunities. Under Job Type, PSLawNet includes four searchable fellowship categories: Fellowship-Law Related is for legal issues not necessarily involving direct client service. Fellowship-Legal is for advocacy or direct legal services. Fellowship-Nonlegal is for issues not strictly legal, such as public health or international relations, but for which a law degree can be helpful. Fellowship-Sponsor is for organizations seeking candidates for project-based fellowships.EJW Fellowshttp://www.equaljusticeworks.org/communities/participants/fellowships

You can fulfill your Dreams:Remember why you came to law school for many it is about making the world a better placeYour law degree will open many doors for you to achieve this goalThink about your vision, your strengths and pursue your goals

ResourcesOCPs Public Interest WebsitePslawnet.org: http://pslawnet.org/page.cfm?pageID=23Guide to public interest fellowship programsFellowship CornerCalendar of application deadlinesidealist.org http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Internship/126819-290The Public Interest Law Initiative, www.pili.orgThe ABA, www.abanet.orgCalifornia Legal Advocates, www.calegaladvocates.org/employment.cfm Serving the Public two volume set (domestic and intl fellowships)ASIL American Society of International Law Fellowships

Requirements and deadlines change ALWAYS check website for most up to date information!!!

Requirements and deadlines can change always check website for most up to date information!!!28