The OPIA Blog

In an effort to help guide you in your public sector summer job search and beyond, we've answered some common 1L questions about accessing OPIA advisers and services.

We look forward to getting to know you in the coming months and to helping you learn more about public interest career opportunities. Although you cannot receive formal career advising until October 15, you can still take affirmative steps now to begin your career exploration.

A few plaintiffs’ firms and several litigation boutiques participate in EIP, but most plaintiffs’ firms and private public interest law firms (PPILFs) do not participate in campus recruiting programs like EIP or V-PIIP. Learn more about how the hiring processes differ with these types of firms.

All HLS students who are receiving SPIF funding and will traveling abroad this summer, including international students returning to their home countries, must fulfill several pre-travel requirements prior to departing the U.S. If you have any questions, email International Legal Studies.

Interested in learning more about public international law work? These resources can help you begin your exploration.

We are often asked by students interested in public service work about the value of extracurricular involvement; while we cannot offer formal career counseling before October 15, we can help you make choices about extracurricular activities before then.

Although the vast majority of public interest employers will not begin to consider applications for post-graduate employment until the fall, we wanted to alert you to a few earlier deadlines of which we are currently aware.

Some of you may be considering government work for your 2L summer. Most federal (and some state and local) agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, offer formal internship programs.

Check out our new fellowship application calendar that breaks down and maps out the application processes for many of the more complicated project- and organization-based fellowships. Use this in conjunction with our other fellowship resources and fellowship and entry-level jobs deadlines feed. We look forward to supporting you through your entry-level job search this upcoming year and to seeing you back on campus.

Read how the 2L summer job search differs from the 1L summer job search in timeline, application strategy, networking, splitting summers, and application materials.

We've expanded our popular summer public interest job search FAQs with additional answers to common general and post-grad public interest job search questions to help you get started or answer questions wherever you are in the process. Check out all of our FAQS!

Are you still searching for a 1L or 2L summer position? OPIA advisors are here to help - sign up for an open advising appointment!

Application materials for the Harvard Law School Public Service Venture Fund Seed Grant will be accepted online until Friday, January 15, 2021 at 5 pm. The PSVF Selection Committee invites J.D. alumni to apply for a seed grant to support a proposed organization that is in its initial stages and has few available funding sources. Learn more and apply!

Unfortunately, given the uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and consistent with Harvard University's policies regarding travel and gatherings, we will be cancelling our Public Interest Reception in NYC on March 19.

Attorneys general are independent state constitutional officers vested with extraordinarily broad criminal and civil responsibilities. Learn more about state AG work and resources available to you at HLS.

Missed the MLSC bidding deadline for the U.S. DOJ, Civil Rights Division, Disability Section? It's now extended to Friday, September 20, 2019! Learn more and submit your materials.

A comprehensive listing of diversity scholarships, clerkships, mentorships, internships, conventions, and job fairs available to law students.

"The point is not just to protect victims and hold people accountable—the deterrence function—but to make sure we’re using our resources to effectively address what led the person to commit this act."