Although a disproportionate number of jobs and internships in the field of public law and policy are unpaid, there are MANY fellowship and grant programs available to provide financial assistance to students and recent graduates pursuing these positions.
Keep in mind- the application deadline for many of these grant/fellowships is almost a year prior to the date that the applicant intends to begin work. If you are reliant upon receipt of a grant or fellowship stipend, apply early and apply often to increase your chances of receiving one!
Also, many fellowship programs have a list of “preferred employers,” which often includes the employer’s contact information and instructions for how to apply. Check the program’s list before you begin applying to ensure that you secure an offer from a qualifying employer.
For Students
The PLSS Summer Grant Program
The PLSS Summer Grant Program provides current McGeorge students with modest grants to help cover their expenses while they volunteer as unpaid summer interns at public interest agencies or firms. Students who work full time for 10 weeks or more will receive the maximum grant amount- $3,500. Additional aid may be available to cover heightened living and travel expenses.
Although the grant is not guaranteed, last year PLSS provided $83,000 in grants to thirty-two of the forty-four students who applied. Grants range from $750 to $3,500 and are calculated according to the number of hours the applicant plans to work and the position that he/she is offered. Last summer, grant recipients interned at offices such as the Sacramento County District Attorney, the Solano County Public Defender, the California Attorney General’s Office, and Sacramento Child Advocates.
For more information about the grant and to learn how to meet the requirements and apply, visit our “Summer Grants” page.
SCBA Summer Diversity Fellowship Program for 1Ls
As many of you know, very few private firms hire 1Ls, and those that do usually don’t pay well (or don’t pay at all). The SCBA Diversity Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for 1Ls to gain valuable work experience while also earning a monthly stipend of $3,000. In addition, the program is open exclusively to McGeorge and UC Davis Students, so competition for slots are limited. There are generally between 15 and 30 participating sponsors, (all of which are local, private middle to large-sized, reputable firms), each of whom accept 1 or 2 summer interns.
Criteria for evaluation: Grades are not taken into account when reviewing candidates and transcripts are not requested of applicants. Interviewers consider the applicants background, work history, and story of diversity. (The definition of diversity is broad and includes race, disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, and so on.)
Interested 1Ls should direct questions regarding this program to the CDO or to the Sacramento County Bar Diversity Retention and Hiring Committee. The fellowship application will be available in the CDO and in the MCO document library. The deadline to apply for a the summer fellowship program is generally in January. For more information, check out the SCBA Fellowship Brochure.
For Graduates
Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellowship Program (McGeorge CDO)
Unbeknownst to many, McGeorge has a Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellowship Program available to new graduates working in the public sector. This fellowship program is ideal for grads who accept an unpaid internship in public law and policy while awaiting bar results. The stipend varies according to the position and number of hours worked, but recipients may receive up to $2,500 a month.
Keep an eye out for informational sessions regarding this program, or email Molly Stafford in the CDO at mstafford@pacific.edu to learn more.
AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Program
The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Program is one of the most productive and highly regarded national service programs in the country. Our AmeriCorps Legal Fellows make a lasting impact on the communities they serve by facilitating pro bono opportunities and expanding the legal resources in low-income and underserved communities.
Supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship program was created in 1993 to address the gaps in the legal aid community through pro bono management and direct representation. Our AmeriCorps Legal Fellows provide legal services to thousands of people across the country each year. They work in a variety of issues areas, including veterans’ assistance, foreclosure prevention, disaster relief and medical-legal partnerships.
For a listing of current AmeriCorps projects, click on this link. To see all AmeriCorps projects, go to the Equal Justice Works Participant and Alumni Directory, where you can filter the list to see AmeriCorps projects back to 2006. You can also filter by state of service and subject area. For more information about the terms of the Fellowship including salary and benefits, please see the page: I Want to Apply to Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps.
Applications to the program are usually available beginning in June of the year preceding the applicant’s intended start date.
Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program
Each year the Equal Justice Works fellowship competition selects qualified and passionate lawyers who have developed new and innovative legal projects that can impact lives and serve communities in desperate need of legal assistance.
Depending on funding, Equal Justice is able to provide between 40-50 two-year fellowships annually. Fellows receive a competitive salary, generous loan repayment assistance, connections to their prominent sponsors, participation in training, and additional support during their two-year tenure.
Applications to the program are generally due in September of the year preceding the applicant’s intended start date. To learn more about this program and how to apply, visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships.