External Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellowships

Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellowships

Post-graduate public interest fellowships are an excellent way to begin your career in public interest law. Many fellowships are project-based, where applicants partner with a non-profit organization and apply for external funding based on a specific proposed project. Others are funded directly by the organization with which the fellow will work. The fellowship application process primarily takes place during the 2L summer and 3L year but it is important to foster relationships with potential sponsors as early as your 1L year.

For more general information about potential fellowship opportunities visit:

Links to specific public interest fellowship funding opportunities:

2026 Fellowship Funding

2026 Post-Bar Organizational Fellowship Opportunities

2026 Project Based Public Interest Fellowships

Below is a partial list of some organizations who have hosted project based fellowships (eg. Skadden, EJW, Justice Catalyst, etc.) in the past. Some have a two step process - first you apply to the organization to be selected as a fellowship partner, then you apply to fellowships for funding. 2026 deadlines are bolded, you can use last year's deadlines as a guide. NOTE: Please check with the organization's website to confirm deadlines and application requirements. 

List of California Host Organizations (alphabetical by organization name)

For hosts in other states click here or scroll down 

OrganizationLocation (CA)DeadlineFellowshipsIssue Area(s) Funded or Seeking
A New Way of Life Reentry ProjectLos Angeles EJWRe-entry; Criminal Law
Accountability Counsel

San Francisco or Washington, DC

or Asia

RollingEJW, Skadden, etc.Location determines issue area, see organization's webpage
ACLU of Northern CaliforniaSan FranciscoRollingEJWCivil Rights/Liberties
ACLU of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesJune 28, 2024EJW; Skadden, Soros, others 
ACLU Foundation of San Diego and Imperial Counties San Diego Rolling no later than July 15, 2024Skadden, EJW, Soros Other 
AIDS Legal Referral PanelSan FranciscoRollingSkadden, EJW, OtherVarious
Al Otro LadoSan DiegoRollingSkadden, EJW, OtherImmigrant rights
Asian Americans Advancing JusticeLos AngelesRolling - due 4 months prior to fellowship funding application deadlineSkadden, EJW, other 
Asylum Seeker Advocacy ProjectRemote, location flexibleRollingEJW, Skadden, Justice CatalystImmigration, Asylum
The Bail ProjectLos AngelesRolling until filledAnyLegal Support for Bail Operations, Advocacy Support to End Cash Bail
Bay Area Legal AidRichmondOn or before July 24, 2022EJW, Skadden, othersHomelessness intervention and prevention in the Bay Area
Bet Tzedek Legal Services Los AngelesAugust 5, 2024EJW; Skadden 
California Rural Legal AssistancevariousJune 30, 2025EJW, Skadden, othersCRLA seeks law fellows who demonstrate a strong commitment to working with rural Californians and addressing the primary issues that affect their lives.
California Rural Legal Assistance FoundationSacramento; Santa Rosa EJW; SkaddenFarmworkers
Centro Legal de La Raza OaklandJuly 27, 2023EJW; Skadden; Justice Catalyst, etc. 
Children's Law Center of CaliforniaMonterey ParkJuly 9, 2024EJW; Skadden; Justice Catalyst, etc.CLC is specifically interested in projects that assist youth, young adults, and court involved families facing housing injustice and instability in the Los Angeles area, but will consider all applicants with a desire to work in one of our existing practice areas or locations.
Communities for a Better EnvironmentHuntington Park, Richmond or remoteSeptember 25, 2022EJW; Skadden; OtherEnvironmental Justice
Disability Rights AdvocatesBerkeley, New York or ChicagoRolling/ July 22, 2024, PriorityEJW; SkaddenDisability Rights
Disability Rights California

Sacramento

San Diego   

Los Angeles  or

Oakland

July 19, 2021EJW; Skadden; OtherDRC invites proposals related to the work of our Advocacy and Community Engagement Practice Group
Disability Rights Education and Defense FundBerkeleyAugust 4, 2023EJW or SkaddenDREDF works intensively with prospective fellows to develop projects that address critical disability civil rights law issues. 
EarthjusticeSan FranciscoRolling until August 1, 2020EJW; Skadden; OtherFossil Fuels Program
East Bay Community Law CenterBerkeley  Children; Youth
Equal Rights AdvocatesSan FranciscoRolling until August 2, 2021, 5pm PSTEJW; Skadden; other 
Esperanza Immigrant Rights ProjectLos AngelesRollingEJW; Skadden; OtherEsperanza will prefer projects that address issues affecting immigrants in removal proceedings due to the current immigration policies.
Family Violence Appellate ProjectOaklandReviewed on rolling basis until filledEJW, Skadden, othersDomestic Violence Survivors
Human Rights First (Legal Fellow)Los Angeles or New YorkASAPEJW, Skadden, othersasylum-related projects
Immigrant Defenders Law CenterLos AngelesRollingEJW; Skadden; OthersImmigrant Defenders Law Center happily considers requests to host individuals for fellowships, where the projects align with our areas of expertise and the fellow is able to identify their own outside source of funding.
Immigration Institute of the Bay AreaVarious Bay Area locationsRollingEJW; Skadden; OthersImmigration legal services, advice, and representation of low-income clients. IIBA will work with selected candidates to develop and submit proposals for fellowship funding.
Impact FundBerkeleyJune 16, 2023EJW; Skadden; Others 
Inner City Law CenterLos AngelesRolling between April and July 2025Skadden; EJW; AmeriCorpsHomelessness
Kids in Need of DefenseLos Angeles EJWImmigrant Populations
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay AreaSan FranciscoRollingEJW 
Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability Fresno, Bakersfield, or CoachellaRollingEJW, Skadden, otherWe welcome applications from qualified individuals who are interested in working with us to develop a fellowship proposal relating to any of Leadership Counsel’s topical practice areas
Legal Aid Association of CaliforniaOakland Spring 2021SkaddenLegal Aid at Work seeks to protect and expand the rights of low-wage workers, utilizing an array of strategies including impact litigation, direct services, legislative advocacy, and policy work.
Legal Aid at WorkSan FranciscoJune 10, 2024SkaddenApplicants are encouraged to propose and discuss project ideas in the program area(s) that they have a strong and demonstrated interest in and which address the needs faced by Legal Aid at Work’s clients.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los AngelesLos AngelesRolling submit early as possibleEJW; Skadden; OtherWill consider proposals in any of their practice areas and looks favorably on proposals with a strong pro bono component
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo CountyRedwood CityRollingEJW; Skadden; OtherProjects should focus on one of Legal Aid’s existing program areas: health, housing, public benefits, domestic violence, immigration, or education.
Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice - Fellowship PostingLos AngelesRolling but no later than June 27, 2025EJW, Skadden, other

The Survivor Justice Center has particular interest in fellowship project proposals in the following areas:

  • Building a practice and pro bono project around Vacatur and Post-Conviction relief for survivors with criminal convictions related to their abuse or trafficking.
  • The intersection between the family and dependency court systems and how survivors of domestic violence interact with those intersecting systems.
  • Addressing technology-enabled abuse in the context of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
MALDEFLos Angeles; Sacramento  Civil Rights
Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.Los AngelesSeptember 11, 2024EJW; Skadden; Others 
National Center for Lesbian RightsSan Francisco EJWLGBTQ Rights
National Center for Youth LawOakland, LA, New York, DC or AZ, CO, HI, MA, MD, MI, OR, VA, WIJuly 12, 2024EJW; Skadden; Soros; OtherInterested in working in one or more of NCYL’s general areas of focus: Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Health, Mental Health, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Immigration. 
National Housing Law ProjectSan FranciscoJuly 16, 2021EJW; Skadden; OtherHousing Issues
National Immigrant Justice CenterSan Diego (or Chicago)RollingEJW; Skadden; OtherNIJC will work with candidates to develop proposals for submission, helping tailor proposals to address important immigration rights issues.
National Immigration Law CenterLos AngelesLate Spring/Early Summer of the year prior to the fellowship startEJW; Skadden; etc.Immigrant Populations
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County Pacoima/Los AngelesRollingEJW; Skadden; OtherPractice areas we support include housing, immigration, family law, health, clean slate/re-entry, education (specifically unlawful school discipline), public benefits, and courthouse-based Self-Help Legal Access Centers. 
Public AdvocatesSan Francisco, Sacramento, Southern CaliforniaASAP, no later than June 28EJW; Skadden 
Public CounselLos AngelesEJW/Skadden - July 1, 2025; others rollingEJW; Skadden; others

Public Counsel will consider fellowship proposals limited to those that fall within the scope of the following projects:

  • Consumer Rights & Economic Justice Project – application info here
  • Immigrants’ Rights Project – application info coming soon
  • Gender Justice Project & Opportunity Under Law (our impact litigation project) – application info here

We do not have an application form separate from those used by the organizations that fund the fellowships. Students who are interested in a fellowship at Public Counsel should send their resume and a brief description of their proposed project directly to the  Directing Attorney of the Public Counsel project with which they wish to work. If you have a problem reaching the Directing Attorney or you have other questions, contact Kristen Jackson EMAIL HERE.

Public Justice Foundation - Debtors' Prison ProjectRemote or Washington, DCJune 12, 2025 (rolling basis until filled after)EJW; Skadden; OthersWe will work closely with the selected candidate to craft an appropriate project proposal focused on a specific area of our work, ideally in a single jurisdiction.
Public Rights ProjectOakland, New York, & BostonASAPJustice Catalyst, Skadden, EJW, otherHigh-impact affirmative litigation by state and local governments
Root & ReboundOakland, Fresno, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Greenville South CarolinaRolling by August 15, 2021EJW; Skadden; Soros; othersSupport and legal advocacy to people with arrest and conviction histories 
Social Justice CollaborativeBerkeleyRollingEJW, SkaddenSee website
Transgender Law CenterOaklandRollingEJWTrans Issues; LGBTQ Rights
Veterans Legal Institute TustinRollingEJW; Skadden; OtherPrevious VLI EJW fellows have focused on preventing eviction, VA benefits appeals, assisting survivors of military sexual trauma, discharge upgrades, estate planning, bankruptcy, immigration and staffing legal clinics. 
Wage Justice CenterLos AngelesRollingSkadden; EJWWorkers’ Rights
Western Center on Law & PovertyLos Angeles, Sacramento, OaklandRollingSkadden, EJW, otherProject proposals should combine litigation, legislative, and administrative advocacy with community outreach, public education, and other needed services related to housing, healthcare, economic justice, and/or access to justice.

List of Host Organizations outside California (Listed by State)

Skip to: A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

OrganizationLocationDeadlineFellowshipsIssue Area(s) Funded
MULTI-STATE
    
A Better Balance

Remote - offices in Nashville, DC, New York, Denver

 

June 1, 2025EJW; Skadden; others

The chosen candidate will work with ABB to create and submit a project proposal to fellowship funders. Although we are open to developing a project in any area of ABB’s work, we are particularly seeking candidates to collaborate on projects that fall within the following areas:

  • Enforce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).
  • Enforce and support public education on New York’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs. 
ACLUVarious States

Priority deadline varies by state

 

EJW; Skadden; othersVarious
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)VariousRollingEJW; SkaddenEfforts to fill gaps in legal representation for asylum-seeking families
EarthjusticeAlaska; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA Rolling until August 1, 2020EJW; Skadden 
Arizona
    
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights ProjectVarious cities, AZJune 25, 2021EJW, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, othersBorder Advocacy, Children's Rights, Crimmigration, Detained Migrant Women (Cis & Transgender), Detained LGBTQ+ Migrants, Due Process Issues, Mental Health Advocacy
Colorado
    
Community Economic Defense ProjectDenver, CORolling, must be received by May 30, 2025EJW, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, other

Our practice is seeking a Homeowner Services Legal Fellow to help us stabilize low-income homeowners and/or mobile homeowners in Colorado. We welcome ideas for this fellowship application, but there is no need to have a fully formed project proposal before reaching out to us! Big picture, this project could focus on:

  • Assisting mobile homeowners to acquire title to their home
  • Helping mobile homeowners navigate conditions issues and assert their rights against mobile home park management and/or ownership
  • Protect low-income homeowners against predatory HOAs
  • Supporting highly vulnerable homeowner populations, including seniors, families with young children, victims of domestic violence, or disabled individuals
  • Provide desperately needed assistance to homeowners who reside in one of Colorado’s twenty-three legal deserts
  • Advancing innovative strategies and methods to empower low-income homeowners and/or mobile homeowners
  • Identifying and implementing legal interventions and solutions to preserve and protect heirs’ property
Delaware
    
Delaware Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.Wilmington, DEJuly 5, 2025Skadden, EJW, OthersPoverty/disability/elder law. Although we ask that you describe any ideas you have regarding a fellowship proposal, please note that it is not necessary to have a proposal at this stage of the application process.
Florida
    
Georgia
    
Southern Center for Human RightsAtlanta, GANot hosted in 2024EJW; Skaddencriminal justice
Illinois
    
ACLU of IllinoisChicago, ILAugust 1 PriorityEJW; Skadden; others 
Ascend JusticeChicago, ILJuly 12, 2024EJW; Skadden 
Chicago Coalition for the HomelessChicago, ILOctober 30, 2020EJW; Skadden; othersHomeless advocacy
The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.Chicago, ILJune 15, 2021EJW; Skadden; othersHate crime, Housing Opportunity, education equity
Corporate Accountability LabChicago, ILRollingJustice Catalyst, othersLegal Fellows will assist CAL in pursuing international supply chain transparency, exploring innovative civil litigation ideas, and developing new strategies for human rights and environmental accountability across the globe. Note that because most of our work is international in nature, past fellows have been ineligible for Equal Justice Works and Skadden fellowship funding.
Impact for EquityChicago, ILASAP between April 30 - August 1EJW; Skadden; Others 
Legal Aid Chicago Chicago, ILJuly 15, 2025EJW or SkaddenWe are open to hosting fellows in any of the areas where Legal Aid Chicago practices. 
The NetworkChicago, ILJune 30, 2024EJW 
Kansas
    
Louisiana
    
Louisiana Capital Assistance CenterNew Orleans, LARollingSkadden, EJW, Soroscapital defense
Maryland
    
Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc.Baltimore, MDJuly 15, 2025EJW, Skadden, Justice CatalystWe are especially interested in supporting fellowship applications that use a mix of legal and community-based tools to advance migrant justice.
Tahirih Justice CenterBaltimore, MDAugust 1, 2018EJW; Skadden; othersimmigrant women, humanitarian immigration for women
Massachusetts
    
ACLU of MassachusettsBoston, MARolling no later than July 19, 2024EJW; Skadden; othersACLUM welcomes applications on any significant issue involving civil rights or liberties.
Community Legal AidWorcester, MARollingEJW; Skadden; othersCivil rights, civil liberties
Conservation Law FoundationBoston, MA (or New Haven, CT; Montpelier, VT; Concord, NH; Portland, ME; or Providence, RI)Applications will be reviewed after July 1 and will select candidates by August 1EJW: Skadden; othersEnvironmental Advocacy
Greater Boston Legal ServicesVarious, MAASAP, no later than July 31, 2024EJW; SkaddenVarious poverty law issues
Just Futures LawCanton, MARollingEJW, Skadden, othersdisrupting the role of surveillance tech in immigration policing, challenging activist retaliation, gang policy accountability, combating ICE & local police collaboration
New England Innocence ProjectBoston, MARollingEJW; Skadden; othersWrongful convictions
Michigan
    
ACLU of MichiganDetroit, MIJuly 7, 2024Skadden, Sorros, EJW, Justice Catalyst, otherWe welcome applications with project proposals relating to any civil rights or civil liberties area. 
Mississippi
    
ACLU of MississippiJackson, MSRollingEJW; Skadden; others 
Missouri
    
New Jersey
    
ACLU of New JerseyNewark, NJRollingEJW; Skadden; othersWe prefer to develop proposed projects that combine legal advocacy and impact litigation, policy advocacy, community outreach, and public education. 
Education Law CenterNewark, NJRollingEJW, Skadden, otherOur fellows gain practical experience defending and expanding education rights and racial equity by working on lawsuits, advocating for clients, and engaging with our policy and communications teams on advancing legislation and public education. We will work with successful applicants to develop a project proposal for specific funding organizations
New York
    
The Bronx DefendersBronx, NYJuly 1, 2024EJW; Skadden; others 
The Center for HIV Law & PolicyNew York, NYRollingSkadden, EJW, Soros, othersHIV Law & Policy
Center for Reproductive RightsNew York, NYRolling until filledSkadden, EJW, Soros, othersReproductive rights, international human rights
Human Rights FirstNew York, NYRollingEJW; Skadden; othersRefugee and Immigration
Legal Services NYCBronx BranchRollingEJW; Skadden; othersYour application must include a detailed project proposal, which fits within one of the priority areas. Specifically, we are seeking fellowship applicants for our Community Neighborhood Stabilization, Education, LGBTQ Advocacy, Public Benefits and Universal Access to Counsel (“UAC”) Projects.
Make the Road New YorkVarious, NYJuly 3, 2023Skadden, EJW, Kirkland & Ellis, others 
National Center for Law and Economic Justice New York, NYJuly 14, 2023Skadden; EJW; Justice Catalyst, others 
National Employment Law ProjectNew York, NYRolling no later than August 1, 2023Skadden; EJW; Other 
New York Civil Liberties UnionNew York, NYJune 15, 2025Skadden, EJW, Soros, othersWe seek candidates willing to collaborate with the NYCLU to shape the project proposal through the funding application process.
New York Lawyers for the Public InterestNew York, NYRolling, no later than July 26Skadden; EJW; OtherHealth Justice, Disability Justice, and Environmental Justice
North Carolina
    
Southern Coalition for Social JusticeDuram, NCReview begins July 24, 2023, rolling thereafterEJW, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, others 
Ohio
    
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.Toledo, OHASAP, no later than July 22, 2022AnyCandidates for fellowships are encouraged to develop and bring forward proposals for work in an area of poverty law
Oregon
    
Pennsylvania
    
Community Legal Services, Inc.Philadelphia, PAJune 6, 2025Skadden, EJW, OthersFellows will be placed in one of our 8 practice areas: Employment (including wage theft and criminal records expungement), Energy, Family Advocacy, Health and Independence, Home Ownership and Consumer Rights, Housing, Medical-Legal Partnership, and SSI Disability.
Education Law Center Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, PARolling - preference if received by July 5, 2024Skadden, EJW, Others 
The Public Interest Law CenterPhiladelphia, PAJune 9, 2025Skaden, EJW, OthersThe Law Center will consider proposals in one or more of our six areas: Education (including Special Education), Employment, Environmental Justice, Healthcare, Housing, and Voting. Candidates are encouraged to provide ideas for a project, which need not be a fully developed proposal at the time of application.
South Carolina
    
Tennessee
    
Youth Law CenterTennesseeJune 30, 2024EJW; Skadden; othersproject related to access to civil legal aid for juvenile justice impacted youth in Tennessee
Texas
    
Texas Rio Grande Legal AidVariousAugust 1, 2025EJW, Skadden, Soros, otherTRLA will also support selected applicants through the fellowship application, including developing a proposal and the interview process
Vermont
    
Virginia
    
Legal Aid Justice Center Charlottesville, Richmond, or Falls Church, VAJuly 15, 2024EJW; Skadden; OtherCivil Rights & Racial Program, Housing & Consumer Justice Program, Worker Justice Program, and Racial Equity
Washington
    
Washington, DC
    
The ArcWashington, DCRolling, priority for those received by July 1, 2024EJW, Skadden, otherThe Arc is looking to host a Fellow and develop a fellowship project to engage in new and ongoing education outreach, advocacy, and litigation centered on ensuring the rights of students with disabilities to receive an education in the most integrated setting with the supports and services needed to thrive. 
The Campaign Legal CenterWashington, DCRollingSkadden; EJW; otherCLC is seeking applicants interested in all of our issue areas: campaign finance, voting rights, redistricting, and ethics.
D.C. Law Students in Court Program, IncWashington, DCRolling until position is filledSkadden, EJW, Soros, otherLandlord-tenant, housing, other justice reform
EarthRights InternationalWashington, DCJuly 26, 2024Skadden; EJW; Justice Catalyst; others 
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)Washington, DCApply earlySkadden, EJW, Soros, OtherCivil Rights Civil Liberties, Intellectual Property
Fair Elections CenterWashington, DCRollingSkadden, EJW, OtherLitigation against barriers to voter registration and voting
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under LawWashington, DCJuly 26, 2024Skadden; EJW; Soros; Justice Catalyst; othersOne or more of the following projects: Voting Rights, Economic Justice, Criminal Justice, Educational Opportunities, Public Policy, Fair Housing & Community Development, or Digital Justice.
Muslim AdvocatesWashington, DCRollingEJW, Skadden, otherCivil rights, civil liberties, litigation, policy
National Center for Transgender EqualityWashington, DCRollingAny outside fundingtransgender; LGBT, Health Care, privacy, Civil Rights
National Women's Law CenterWashington, DCJuly 26, 2023EJW, Skadden, other 
Neighborhood Legal Services Program Washington, DCAugust 8, 2025EJW, SkaddenNLSP will consider well-researched and impactful projects touching on any areas of our practice including family, domestic violence, and housing law, or economic security issues.
Public Justice Foundation - Debtors' Prison ProjectWashington, DCJune 12, 2025EJW, Skadden, OtherWe will work closely with the selected candidate to craft an appropriate project proposal focused on a specific area of our work, ideally in a single jurisdiction. 
Rights Behind BarsWashington, DCRollingEJW, Skadden, Soros, Other