PUBLIC INTEREST POST-GRADUATE LEGAL FELLOWSHIPS

1. PUBLIC INTEREST POST-GRADUATE LEGAL FELLOWSHIPS Equal Justice Works and Skadden Fellowships (And Others) For more detailed advice on fellowship applications, pick up the 2007-2008 Law Student Guide to Non-Profit and Public Interest Post-Graduate Legal Fellowship Programs in the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development

2. Equal Justice Works Application & Selection Timeline • Application Due Date – Mid-September – Check EJW Website periodically for announcement of specific date • Semi-finalists Selected and Interviewed – September through December 2007 • Fellowship offers through Host Organization Match Funding Option Extended on rolling basis once matching funds are secured – January through March 2008 • September 2008 – Fellows begin working!

3. Skadden Fellowship Application & Selection Timeline • Application Due Date – October 1, 2007 • Interviews of “Top” 75 Applicants – October through November 2007 • 50 Semi-finalists are chosen – Late November • Trustees meet to make final selections of recipients – Late November • September 2008 Fellows begin working!

4. EJW and Skadden: Some Differences • The focus of EJW is to fund entrepreneurial or “cutting edge” projects. • The focus of Skadden is to “groom” the next wave of public interest attorneys. Skadden seeks to provide “apprenticeships” for new attorneys.

5. Components of EJW and Skadden Fellowships Component 1: A Project Component 2: A Fellow Component 3: A Host Organization

6. EJW and Skadden Fellowship Selection Criteria All applications for EJW and Skadden Fellowships will be judged according to the quality of: • The proposed project; • The host organization; and • The Fellow Candidate

7. EJW Fellowship Project Evaluation Criteria 1. The project must involve legal advocacy on behalf of disenfranchised individuals, groups or issues not currently adequately represented by our legal system. It may involve direct service, outreach and education, or organizing direct service on any issue as long as the direct service is on behalf of an underserved population.

8. EJW Fellowship Project Evaluation Criteria 2. The project must add some new component to the services already provided by the host organization.

9. EJW FellowshipProject Evaluation Criteria 3. The project must address the legal needs of individuals or communities in the United States and its territories.

10. EJW FellowshipProject Evaluation Criteria 4. Preference will be given to projects that are designed to impact a large number of people and/or create programs that can be replicated in other communities and create lasting institutions or programs.

11. EJW FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 1. The organization MUST have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

12. EJW FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 2. The organization’s commitment and ability to provide training, support and supervision throughout the course of the fellowship.

13. EJW FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 3. How the project fits into the organization’s priorities.

14. EJW FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 4. The organization’s commitment and ability to provide health insurance and other standard employee benefits to the Fellow during the course of the fellowship.

15. EJW FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 1. The candidate’s demonstrated or stated commitment to public interest law generally, and specifically to the community in which he or she is planning to work.

16. EJW FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 2. The candidate’s professional, volunteer and/or subject matter expertise indicating that he or she possesses the relevant skills to make the project a success.

17. EJW FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 3. The candidate’s commitment and ability to fulfill the two-year term required by the program.

18. EJW FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 4. The candidate’s ability to bring a diverse perspective to his or her project and the legal profession.

19. EJW FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 5. EJW Fellowships are designed to create NEW public interest legal positions and launch new public interest careers.

20. Skadden FellowshipProject Evaluation Criteria 1. The Project must be directed primarily to providing direct legal services to economically oppressed people.

21. Skadden FellowshipProject Evaluation Criteria 2. The project must provide direct legal services.

22. Skadden FellowshipProject Evaluation Criteria • The project should have “sex appeal.” the Skadden Fellowship Board loves to see projects addressing issues that are currently in the media spotlight.

23. Skadden FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 1. The organization should have a proven record of service to the poor.

24. Skadden FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 2. The organization MUST have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

25. Skadden FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 3. The ability of the sponsoring organization to provide adequate supervision and support.

26. Skadden FellowshipHost Organization Evaluation Criteria 3. Consider whether the organization has had a Skadden Fellow in the past or is sponsoring another applicant this year.

27. Skadden FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 1. Strong demonstrated commitment to public interest work.

28. Skadden FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 2. Academic Acheivement. Grades matter for this fellowship.

29. Skadden FellowshipCandidate Evaluation Criteria 3. An autobiographical connection to the work the candidate plans to do is valued.

30. Organizational Fellowships • Positions are with a particular organization • Last for one or two years depending on organization • Application process is similar to a normal job application process • Each organization who offers fellowships may offer only one or a few positions

31. Organizational FellowshipsExamples of Organizations Offering Fellowships • ACLU • Human Rights Watch • The Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program • Find many more in the Fellowship Corner of the PSLawNet website (www.pslawnet.org)

32. Firm Sponsored Fellowships • Relman & Associates (www.relmanlaw.com) • Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobsen (www.ffhsj.com) • Covington & Burling (www.cov.com/practices/oid52927/description.html) • Hunton & Williams (www.hunton.com/firm/firm.aspx?id=5116)

33. Want More Information or Are You Applying for a Fellowship? • Pick up the 2007-2008 Law Student Guide to Non-Profit and Public Interest Legal Fellowship Program in OCP • Make an appointment with the Office of Career Planning to discuss strategies and/or have your application reviewed.