Public Interest 2014: Thoughts, Anxieties, Experiences... Forum

[BlueLotus]

Might as well get the fellowship ball rolling with these helpful linkies:

Skadden Fellows - deadline is 10/6/14

EJW - deadline is 9/17/14

Feel free to add on. Those are just the two obvious ones.

I might as well throw a hail mary app to Skadden even though I'm probably too lowly and un-prestigious for them.

Also, see WT's stickied thread for lesser-known fellowships:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=229469

Glad I didn't take the RA position in addition to my jerb, cuz these apps are gonna be a painnnnn...

I would suggest just prioritizing the EJW or other fellowship apps and skipping Skadden. They are a ton of time and it's better to do a fantastic job on a few apps than submit hail mary apps that take away time from the ones that you really have a shot at.

Good point. Plus, I don't believe you can do immigration work as a Skadden fellow.

[sd5289]

What does Skadden actually require?

Grades I know. But is there some sort of niche thing that they're interested in?

[BlueLotus]

What does Skadden actually require?

Grades I know. But is there some sort of niche thing that they're interested in?

Being from HYS and journal. Very prestige-whoring and the complete opposite of EJW.

[sd5289]

What does Skadden actually require?

Grades I know. But is there some sort of niche thing that they're interested in?

Being from HYS and journal. Very prestige-whoring and the complete opposite of EJW.

Ugh, really? So much for that then. Bring on EJW (does being an AmeriCorps alum help?).

[quijotesca1011]

Good point. Plus, I don't believe you can do immigration work as a Skadden fellow.

You definitely can do immigration work as a Skadden Fellow. Here are all of the profiles of 2014 Skadden fellows that directly or indirectly mention some tie with migration-related work (directly = reference migrants, undocumented populations, etc…indirectly = mentions farmworkers, spanish-speaking populations, etc. -- i.e. populations highly likely to contain high percentages of migrants).

It's 10/28 of the fellows, so a pretty significant number:

Direct representation of undocumented, abused, abandoned or neglected children facing the juvenile justice system. Will also provide community education, outreach, collaboration and monitoring.

Direct legal representation of immigrant victims of domestic violence in Sussex and Kent Counties on matters involving protection orders, custody, divorce, housing and public benefits.

Will secure legal protection for victims of human trafficking, train law enforcement and social service providers to identify and properly refer victims and expand favorable precedent for trafficking victims through litigation.

Direct representation, community education and impact litigation to empower low-income, Spanish- and Mandarin-speaking New Yorkers to combat and be free from fraudulent and deceptive business practices by predatory for-profit schools.

Will promote child and community wellness by implementing a medical-legal partnership for Erie Health Center's Spanish-speaking population.

Advocacy to create New Jersey's first English Language Learner project to represent and advocate for low-income ELL students in Education Law Center's priority areas, particularly special education, student discipline, bullying and school admissions.

Will challenge discrimination against immigrant youth brought to the United States as children, who are commonly known as "Dreamers," in education and employment through direct representation, impact litigation, public education and advocacy.

Provision of community education, litigation and advocacy to enforce labor rights and prevent sexual harassment of female farm workers in Western New York.

Will establish a medical-legal partnership to provide integrated comprehensive legal services to the low-income, Spanish-speaking working immigrant community in the East Bay. Will establish an on-site legal clinic at La Clinica De La Raza.

Will provide direct representation to low-income immigrant workers in tax controversy cases, including negotiating offers and compromise, representing clients in collection due process hearings and requesting audit reconsideration, among other services. Will also develop language-appropriate education programs and materials to increase the tax literacy of low-income immigrant communities.

Advocacy to protect children from the effects of family breakup by providing legal assistance and advocacy to the U.S. citizen children of immigrant parents who face detention and deportation.

[sd5289]

^ That's interesting because I would want to pursue a trafficking project most likely (NY has a *huge* problems and very little focus). I'm not sure how to meld it with my interest in prosecuting said traffickers, but this is a helpful to know that there's at least some emphasis on it.

[quijotesca1011]

^ That's interesting because I would want to pursue a trafficking project most likely (NY has a *huge* problems and very little focus). I'm not sure how to meld it with my interest in prosecuting said traffickers, but this is a helpful to know that there's at least some emphasis on it.

Why would doing a project with victims of trafficking be at all opposed to prosecuting offenders? The project above even lists "expand favorable precedent for trafficking victims through litigation...seems perfect if your interest is prosecuting traffickers?

[worldtraveler]

Skadden just doesn't let you do straight up immigration work, which is why all the projects are working with immigrants in regards to problems they face in some other capacity (education, housing, employment).

And I think the basic rule is that to be a Fellow you have to have been competitive to get an offer with Skadden the firm. It's pretty easy to tell if that is you or not.

With EJW, they don't even ask for grades, so if you are not Skadden material your time is much better spent there. And you will need the time because holy shit that application takes forever.

[crumpetsandtea]

Skadden just doesn't let you do straight up immigration work, which is why all the projects are working with immigrants in regards to problems they face in some other capacity (education, housing, employment).

And I think the basic rule is that to be a Fellow you have to have been competitive to get an offer with Skadden the firm. It's pretty easy to tell if that is you or not.

With EJW, they don't even ask for grades, so if you are not Skadden material your time is much better spent there. And you will need the time because holy shit that application takes forever.

Yeah my CSO said to do EJW first and then just transfer the app materials you wrote for EJW to Skadden b/c Skadden's app is so much easier.

[rinkrat19]

Now I'm wondering why my CSO person, who's supposed to be the best in the office, hasn't even mentioned fellowships to me.

[crumpetsandtea]

Now I'm wondering why my CSO person, who's supposed to be the best in the office, hasn't even mentioned fellowships to me.

I specifically asked her about them and then she redirected me to Cindy Wilson. Cindy is the one who told me about fellowships. You have to be proactive with our cso, they're not going to personally call you to remind you about stuff. You have to know what you want and ask them for specific advice.

[rinkrat19]

Now I'm wondering why my CSO person, who's supposed to be the best in the office, hasn't even mentioned fellowships to me.

I specifically asked her about them and then she redirected me to Cindy Wilson. Cindy is the one who told me about fellowships. You have to be proactive with our cso, they're not going to personally call you to remind you about stuff. You have to know what you want and ask them for specific advice.

Oh, I know. But I saw Dave before school ended to talk about my summer plan of attack and fellowships weren't mentioned. But maybe it was because I'm more govt focused than non-profit.

[crumpetsandtea]

Now I'm wondering why my CSO person, who's supposed to be the best in the office, hasn't even mentioned fellowships to me.

I specifically asked her about them and then she redirected me to Cindy Wilson. Cindy is the one who told me about fellowships. You have to be proactive with our cso, they're not going to personally call you to remind you about stuff. You have to know what you want and ask them for specific advice.

Oh, I know. But I saw Dave before school ended to talk about my summer plan of attack and fellowships weren't mentioned. But maybe it was because I'm more govt focused than non-profit.

Well, what I meant is that Puja didn't 'tell' me about fellowships, I specifically emailed her saying "Hey, I want to do government and public interest work. Can we talk about the deadlines for applying to honors programs and fellowships?" Then she emailed back saying, "Hey, talk to Cindy Wilson about this," and Cindy was the one who told me details about fellowships.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you expect CSO to be proactive and tell you about things on their own, you will be sadly disappointed. You really need to figure out what you have to do yourself and rely on CSO mostly for guidance/advice on how to navigate the timeline and workload of applications.

[BlueLotus]

Skadden just doesn't let you do straight up immigration work, which is why all the projects are working with immigrants in regards to problems they face in some other capacity (education, housing, employment).

And I think the basic rule is that to be a Fellow you have to have been competitive to get an offer with Skadden the firm. It's pretty easy to tell if that is you or not.

With EJW, they don't even ask for grades, so if you are not Skadden material your time is much better spent there. And you will need the time because holy shit that application takes forever.

Well, I guess that's one less app for me. I am pretty much as far from Skadden material as you can get.

[ash0117]

I'm in! I'll be working at PDS this summer. I start Monday and I'm beyond excited.

PDS starts the 27th not next monday

You're right! I'm leaving for DC tomorrow, and I totally spazzed and thought I was starting then. God, finals really did burn me out! Can't wait to start after Memorial Day.

[History_Buff]

Starts tomorrow, here we go.

[Ded Precedent]

What is like the exact opposite of the Skadden Fellowship. I'm looking for the most anti-prestige fellowship preferably one where they just draw names out of a hat or something so I have a chance.

[BlueLotus]

What is like the exact opposite of the Skadden Fellowship. I'm looking for the most anti-prestige fellowship preferably one where they just draw names out of a hat or something so I have a chance.

EJW does not ask for transcripts, and there are plenty of fellows from "modest" schools if you look at the fellow profiles. Immigrant Justice Corps does not ask for transcripts, nor does AmeriCorps.

[worldtraveler]

What is like the exact opposite of the Skadden Fellowship. I'm looking for the most anti-prestige fellowship preferably one where they just draw names out of a hat or something so I have a chance.

The Berkeley Law Foundation prioritizes apps that are not from the top schools, because those students have access to better funding.

Anything that's local, such as through a state bar association is also far less prestige obsessed.

[klm550]

Rising 2L here checking in. I'll be working at a legal services organization (focusing on employment law) starting the day after Memorial Day. I'm not really sure what to expect but I'm excited to be doing real work!

[jdmonkey]

I'm in! I'll be working at PDS this summer. I start Monday and I'm beyond excited.

Congrats! I'm jealous; PDS is gold standard for indigent defense. I heard the attorneys there have caseloads of less than 75 per year, which is a civilized anomaly for PD offices. I struck out there this year. Let us know how it goes!

[jdmonkey]

Capital habeas unit.

Seriously, habeas? This will be you:



But love the Fed Defenders schtick. I may eventually try to move in that direction given the current tilt of the Sentencing Guidelines.

The only thing that stinks about FD is that I heard every office, besides for San Diego, requires 2-5 years work experience for full time. If anybody knows of another office that hires right out of school please post, as I would love to apply there as a 2L.

[jdmonkey]

Rising 2L checking in. Starting June 2nd.

Checking in. Is anyone else planning on going the biglaw route? I'm actually kinda worried that my resume is heaving focused on PI (including this 1L summer job), so I'm already trying to find ways to explain it to OCI interviewers lol

Yeah, but my resume isn't PI-heavy otherwise. I expect to stay in biglaw for a while. I've just always really wanted to work for this particular PI org I'm working for this summer.

The career services propaganda says big law doesn't give an f what you do your 1L summer as long as it is in law. They just care about grades and if you can interview. Some firms have decently sized 1L classes, so it might be harder to break into those firms as a 2L if you didn't work there this summer.

[Merylian]

Is 10 weeks on the short end for a 1L summer? I don't start until next week yet, feels odd to see so many others working already while I'm just sitting around.

[BlueLotus]

Is 10 weeks on the short end for a 1L summer? I don't start until next week yet, feels odd to see so many others working already while I'm just sitting around.

I don't start until May 29. I plan to put in an extra 2 weeks after my internship "officially" ends, doe.