Career Strategy

Post-Graduate Fellowships

Fellowships provide a diverse array of post-graduate career options for law students.

The classic "fellowship" is a financial stipend awarded by a funder to a worthy recipient (i.e., the "fellow") to finance the fellow's ability to work for an organization or mission that meets the social, cultural, or ideological goals of the funder. Funders are usually foundations established by individuals, families, corporations, or other entities. The funder may have certain goals or ideals that they wish to further through their philanthropy. Funders, therefore, establish certain criteria for applicants to meet in order to receive funding. In this way, the philanthropist contributes to meaningful social or cultural change by financing the work of others. (Think of the Public Interest Fellowship Program at Villanova Law.)

The term "fellowship" can be used to describe funding to support legal work in many different settings. These settings can include state or federal government agencies; public interest agencies; academia; city, state or federal legislatures; and international non-governmental organizations. In addition, some funders use the term "fellowship" to describe this financial arrangement, but other funders may use the term "internship", "grant", "scholarship" or "award".

Some fellowships are limited to recent law graduates; others are awarded to attorneys who have been in practice for several years. Some fellowships are available for summer employment. The financial arrangements also vary. Some fellowships, for example, pay a stipend and a certain amount towards the fellow's student loans.

Many fellowships are "portable," in that the applicant applies for the funding and chooses the sponsoring organization. For example, many well-known fellowships - such as the Skadden Public Interest Fellowship or the Philadelphia-based Independent Foundation Public Interest Fellowship - require that the applicant propose a project or improvement that would be implemented at a sponsoring organization. For these fellowships, in addition to evaluating the applicant, the funder will consider the reputation of the sponsoring organization as well as the merit of the proposed project and how it fits with the funder's priorities. And certainly, strong relations between the sponsoring organization and the funder help to seal the deal. But generally speaking, the funding follows the candidate and his or her project.

Other fellowships are actually salary stipends for an entry-level position of finite duration (i.e., 1-2 years) with a specific organization, like the Sierra Club. These fellowships are administered by the organization itself and students apply directly to the organization. The applicant need not propose a particular project. The applicant is judged by many of the same factors the organization uses in hiring staff attorneys, including a commitment to the goals of the organization and whether the applicant has skills that the organization needs or values.

There are also fellowships that lead to an LL.M. at a sponsoring law school. These fellowships provide tuition and a stipend for the fellow to work in a particular field and/or teach J.D. students in a clinical setting while obtaining an LL.M. One of the most prominent of these fellowships is offered by Georgetown University Law Center. Applicants for these fellowships must show interest or experience in a particular area of law and academic success as well as an interest in working with J.D. candidates.

Some law firms offer fellowships to entry-level attorneys that enable the attorney to work at the firm exclusively on pro bono matters for a period of time or at a public interest organization, and then be able to 're-join' the firm. The Philadelphia Public Interest Fellowship Program provides law school graduates who have secured employment with a participating law firm the opportunity to spend their first year in practice working for one of Philadelphia's public interest organizations. Under the terms of the program, participants are compensated directly by their private firm employer; the firm's first year salary is split between the first year and the second year. The participant's salary resumes in the third year on parity with other third year attorneys at the firm.

There are many different sources of fellowships, so the application requirements and deadlines vary. At a minimum, you will need a personal statement that demonstrates your commitment to the sponsoring agency or the project you are proposing, and conveys how your education, employment and volunteer experiences qualify you to achieve the goals of the fellowship. You will also need letters of recommendation and writing samples.

Fellowships are often quite competitive, because many well-qualified and committed students apply for limited funding for meritorious projects. But developing a relationship with a sponsoring public interest organization for which you have worked or volunteered while in law school will help you considerably as you navigate your way through the application process.

Many fellowship applications are due as early as September or October prior to the year the fellowship begins, so you should begin to research fellowship possibilities no later than the summer after your second year of law school. Research can begin with the websites of Equal Justice Works and PSLawNet (http://www.PSLawNet.org), both of which have comprehensive fellowship listings.

Villanova is proud to offer it's students the assistance of the VLS Fellowship Committee, comprised of faculty, staff, and past fellowship winners. The Fellowship Committee assists candidates by reviewing applications and conducting mock interviews during the application process.  Interested candidates should contact the Director of PS Careers and Pro Bono Programs for additional information.

Back to the Top