Public Interest Summer Fellowships
The Public Interest Fellowship Committee is pleased to announce the availability of Public Interest Summer Fellowships for students working as volunteers or for marginal pay in the public sector. Students enrolled in the Public Service Extern Program and Reinberger Fellows are not eligible to apply for this fellowship award. For Purposes of this fellowship, a public interest position includes working for a non-profit organization providing services to underrepresented clients, groups or interests (e.g. the poor, elderly, minority groups, etc.) or working for a government entity.
Application & Selection Criteria:
- Before applying, you must have secured a position as a volunteer or for marginal pay in a public interest position.
- You must commit to work a minimum of 20 hours a week for 10 weeks over the summer in the public interest position.
- Criteria that will be considered during the selection process include factors relevant to the student’s commitment to a public service career and the nature of the position (e.g. whether the position includes working on representation of underrepresented populations). Commitment may be demonstrated by a number of factors, including:
- Participation in public interest/volunteer activities in college, law school and outside of school.
- Essay describing student’s interest in the practice of public interest law and the relationship of summer employment plans to legal career goals.
While demonstrated commitment is a principal criterion for being awarded a fellowship, consideration will also be given to applicants who may not have amassed a substantial public interest record but who have demonstrated their commitment in other ways and/or have explained the circumstances that may have deterred them from participation in such activities in the past in their essay.
Application Process
Interested students must submit three copies of: 1) a resume, 2) the fellowship application, and 3) an unofficial law school transcript in hard copy to the Office of Professional Development by 3:00 PM on Friday, March 30, 2012. No applications will be accepted after this date and time. In addition, hand-written applications will NOT be considered. If you need to attach additional typed sheets to your application, please do so.
Questions about Public Interest Summer Fellowships should be directed to Kelly Tomlinson in the Office of Professional Development.
Students who are awarded a Fellowship will be expected to attend the Public Service Recognition Program on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
Fellowships Available
Each year, several public interest summer fellowships are made available to students. The award amounts vary depending on the funding available. In the past, awards have generally ranged from $500 - $2,500.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Fellowships
In addition to the fellowships listed above, there are two area-specific summer fellowships we anticipate awarding this year.
Interested students must submit three copies of: 1) a resume, 2) the fellowship application, and 3) an unofficial law school transcript in hard copy to the Legal Clinic by 3:00 PM on Friday, March 30, 2012. No applications will be accepted after this date and time. In addition, hand-written applications will NOT be considered.
Questions about Alternative Dispute Resolution Fellowships should be directed to Professor Maara Fink in the Legal Clinic.
Students who are awarded a Fellowship will be expected to attend the Public Service Recognition Program on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
JOEL A. AND SHIRLEY A. LEVINE PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIP IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
This fund was established to provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Students must have a demonstrated commitment or interest in alternative dispute resolution and a strong academic record with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students may be full-time or part-time. Recipients must work in a supervised position in areas such as:
- A Court-Annexed Program
- The Supreme Court of Ohio, Dispute Resolution Section
- Law School Center for Dispute Resolution
- Other with Faculty Approval
LEVISON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AWARD:
This fund was established to provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Students must be outstanding and have a demonstrated commitment or interest to the field of alternative dispute resolution.