KEY SUMMER PROGRAMS AND FUNDING SOURCES
Summer public service work is an excellent way to gain legal experience
and make future contacts. For students interested in postgraduate careers
in public service, gaining work experience is critical. Finding a paid
summer internship, however, can be challenging. Funding constraints and
the popularity of certain programs enable employers to offer positions
with little or no salary.
Although some individual organizations and offices pay summer interns
or host their own fellowship programs, most do not and rely on the student
to obtain funding from another source.
The programs listed below are by no means the only sources of
summer jobs and internships in public service but are popular
programs among Kent students. For a comprehensive list of summer
funding resources nationwide, go to the Public
Interest Clearinghouse and click on "summer grants and
fellowships" and
Summer Funding Sources Nationwide, accessible from the Public
Service Law Newtwork (PSLAWNET) website.
Application deadlines stated below are based upon past experience. Students
should contact the organization for this year's deadline and application
procedures.
1. Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
The PILI Summer Internship program
places first and second year law students in designated Chicago area public
interest organizations selected by the PILI board. A PILI intern receives
$4,500 for ten weeks of full time summer work, and participates in weekly
educational programs. Application materials are available at www.pili-law.org
but will also be available in the career services office in the fall.
The final application deadline is March 1, however, students should apply
early to assure consideration. First years may not apply until after December
1 .
2. Kent Justice Foundation Summer Fellowships
The Kent Justice Foundation
("KJF") coordinates fundraising efforts and administers summer
public interest law fellowships for Chicago-Kent students. KJF believes
that students should not be kept from working in public interest jobs
because of financial reasons; therefore, KJF awards fellowships to assist
students who work in low-paying or volunteer public interest positions
during the summer by helping to defray costs. Applicants apply in the
early spring and are reviewed based upon financial need, personal statements,
participation in KJF fundraising and volunteer events, and participation
in outside volunteer activities. In past years, four to eight students
have been awarded $500-$4500, and they have worked for organizations such
as the Chicago Legal Clinic; Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund;
Citizen Advocacy Center; AIDS Legal Council of Chicago; Cook County Public
Guardian; and the U.S. Attorney's Office; the Midwest Center on Law and
the Deaf; and the Office of the Consulate General of Mexico.
3. Equal Justice Works Summer Corps Program
Summer Corps provides $1,000 education award vouchers to 1L's and 2L's
who spend the summer providing direct services to low-income communities.
Summer Corps members secure internships at non-profit public interest
organizations of their own choosing and work on a broad range of issue
areas. Details regarding this program are available in December or January
at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org.
4. Equal Justice America Legal Service Fellowships
This program provides fellowships to 100 students working in organizations
providing direct civil legal services to the poor. Students work
35 to 40 hours per week for at least 10 weeks and are provided
a $3,250 stipend. The program sponsors fellowships at the Chicago
Legal Clinic. For application information, go to http://www.equaljusticeamerica.org.
Other Places to Consider:
- Churches and religious organizations
- Employers or resources at your placement
- Civic organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.)
- Foundations or traditional grant sources
Alternatives to Funding:
- Part-Time Work: Some students have obtained part-time work
to supplement their summer legal work.
- Externships: Students participating in legal work without
compensation at approved nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies,
or for judges can earn academic credit for their work. For more information
regarding externship credit requirements, contact Professor Vivien
Gross.
|
