This two-year fellowship conducts high impact litigation and advocacy through four main projects: Access to Justice in the civil court system such as forced arbitration or limits on collective action; Debtors’ Prison to combat criminalization of poverty; Students’ Civil Rights Project to end discrimination and seek systemic change in school settings; Environmental Enforcement to hold corporations accountable for enforcing environmental state and federal laws. Emphasis on strong research and writing skills, experience with litigation, and agility working across civil rights issue areas with diverse individuals and teams under time pressure. 

Fellows work on human rights issues in the U.S. by alternating between one year at Human Rights Watch and one year at the ACLU. Strong research, writing, legal analytical skills. Experience with trauma-sensitive interviews, media, and press releases. Exposure to complex litigation. Must be able to practice in U.S. during the two-year fellowship. Preference for applicants with knowledge of a foreign language. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment. 

Directed by Georgetown Law, Fellows provide quality representation at PDS to adults and adolescents accused of crimes, while developing skills as a clinical instructor. Emphasize long-term commitment to PD work and racial justice. Apply early for its rolling deadline. Submit all essay drafts for review well in advance of the deadline. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

Independence Foundation Fellows provide free, direct legal services in the Greater Philadelphia area. Only certain organizations are invited to host a single fellow. Consult your host organization about whether they are eligible for the fellowship this year. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

Justice Catalyst Fellowship. Harnessing the interdisciplinary approach of Professor Hanson’s Systemic Justice Lab, target how your innovative solution to a community-informed, access to justice problem can be addressed for the greatest sustainable and scalable impact that shifts power dynamics (economic and political) and fuels a clear Theory of Change. Regional work may be nationally magnified. Watch the latest info webinar. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a prospectus by September 30, 2026. Final full application is due on December 1, 2026. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.

Interested in summer public interest work? Make a one-on-one counseling appointment with an OPIA adviser to occur after September 9. Any of our generalist advisers can help you begin your job search; you can review adviser bios and schedule an appointment online in CSM.

During your first year at HLS, there are many ways to get involved with the public interest community, including becoming part of the Public Interest Law Collective (PILC). The PILC is a student-led effort designed to provide support and uplift students with a strong desire to use their legal education in service of the public good.

To join, take 10 minutes to fill out the registration form by September 17. Please mark your calendars for a PILC kickoff event on September 23 at 6:15pm in WCC 2012, where you will meet other 1L members and your upper-class leaders.

OPIA will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

OPIA invites current JD students at all class levels to participate in the Alumni Mentor Matching Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The program connects students with experienced public interest attorneys who can share guidance, insights, and support as students navigate law school and explore public interest careers. To request a mentor, fill out the registration form, letting us know of your interests and career goals.