Interviews that persuade and stick reflect five key elements.

Networking is an essential part of getting to know the world of public interest law. But sometimes, it can feel intimidating to approach a potential contact, or hard to know where to plug in and get started. Review this Q&A to help make networking a smoother part of your professional journey.

One of the toughest parts of a public interest job search is managing the timeline. The lack of a unified, consistent hiring timeline by public interest employers and the fact that every individual’s situation differs can complicate the search process. Consider the following tips about communicating with employers as you navigate interviews and offers.

HLS may nominate one ICJ Fellow each year who seeks to deepen their understanding of international law and the Court’s processes. Among the 3 letters of recommendation, JDs/LLMs should choose international law faculty who can attest to applicant’s strong academic record and research and writing skills. CV/resume should highlight publications and exposure to complex litigation. Relevant writing sample under 15 pgs. should demonstrate facility with legal analysis and evidence. Some French proficiency expected. Sign up for Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.

All applicants must carefully consult the PSVF Org-Based details and MOU to check for eligibility for themselves and the host organization before January 12, 2026. Prior efforts to secure a PSVF host may include non-PSVF eligible organizations, but all jobs and fellowships listed must show an authentic effort to launch a long-term public interest career for which the candidate is realistically qualified. Sign up for a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.

OPIA will be hosting a virtual Spring Interview Program (SIP) featuring public sector employers recruiting for summer and postgraduate positions. Bidding will take place in early January, with virtual interviews being held in late January into early February. In conjunction with the Virtual Spring Interview Program, there will be virtual employer chats with public sector employers on January 12th and 15th that students may register for in advance. More details about these employer chats, including who will be participating, and how to sign-up, will be shared in early January.

January is a busy month for Harvard-funded fellowships, and in particular, for Harvard-funded international fellowships. Be aware of the following upcoming deadlines:

January 6, 2026 by 11:59 PM: International Court of Justice Judicial Fellows Programme nomination application due
January 12, 2026: International Legal Studies Post-Graduate Fellowship application due (for work in international courts and tribunals)
January 12, 2026: Committee on General Scholarship Fellowships (for 3Ls and SJDs only, to travel, research, and work abroad) application due

Be sure to reserve appointments to speak with OPIA’s fellowships director about these opportunities, and upload drafts of your materials to OPIA for guidance well in advance of any deadline.

A new self-service photobooth, the Headshot Hub, has been installed in the Collaborative Commons on the 2nd floor of the Smith Campus Center. Available to anyone with a Harvard ID card, this new community resource provides students, faculty, staff, and other Harvard affiliates with convenient access to professional‑quality headshots.

The International Legal Studies Postgraduate Fellowships fund a recent HLS graduate to clerk or intern in an international or foreign/supernational court or tribunal. Applicants should highlight their demonstrated interest in international or transnational law and how this fellowship would be significant for their career trajectory. If an applicant is unsure regarding eligibility of their host, they are encouraged to contact Andre Barbic (abarbic@law.harvard.edu) at ILS. Applicants are also advised to make a Fellowship Advising appointment.

The DAG Fellowship seeks students and clerks with a commitment to community/movement lawyering demonstrated through clinical work and organizing. Project proposals should highlight innovative, impactful, sustainable social justice change and community buy-in. 

Besides acquiring a host letter from a non-profit organization, applicants should choose 2 letters of recommendation: preferably at least one from Harvard clinical faculty. Sign up for a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT. 

Follow these key tips for PSVF Organization-Based Fellowship applications.

Follow these key tips for PSVF Organization-Based Fellowship applications.

Review some of the most common 1L job search questions in our Job Search FAQs, including how to navigate interviews, offers, and other communication with employers. 

Students/graduates applying for a PSVF Org-Based Fellowship need to ensure any requests to change the MOU are submitted by January 12, 2026 and to make an appointment with an OPIA adviser by January 21, 2026 to discuss the job search process.  
 
Watch or listen to our PSVF info session to learn more about these fellowships and the application process.

For students planning to apply for a summer internship at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, please check our suggestions for how to navigate the two possible modes of application.

As you prepare for exams, don’t forget that OPIA has a jigsaw puzzle library! You are welcome to check out a puzzle (just sign it out in the checkout binder) and take it home for as long as you like.  Jigsaw puzzles have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and increase focus, so grab a puzzle now! And if you just need a quick fix while on campus, come put a few pieces where they belong in the communal puzzle on OPIA’s conference table.

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

Each year public interest and government employers take advantage of the opportunity to interview students from ABA-accredited Massachusetts law schools for summer and permanent positions through the Massachusetts Law School Consortium (MLSC) Job Fairs (the Fall & Winter Government/Public Interest Programs): one for the fall, and another for the winter. The interviews for the winter program will be conducted virtually on January 29 & 30, 2026. This program is open to ALL JD students (including 1Ls). Learn more about the program, including how to participate, by going to OPIA's MLSC webpage and follow the instructions on how to submit applications.

Interviews take on particular significance with public interest employers, as they seek to learn about your interest in their mission and your fit with their office. The following resources can help you prepare to put your best foot forward in interviews with public interest employers.

Please note that second-round applications for Summer 2026 Peggy Browning Fund Fellowships are now open. Offers will be extended on a rolling basis starting on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The CGS Traveling Fellowship looks for strong research skills and focused, purposeful travel anywhere in the world driven by a clear methodology to address significant questions, conducting studies and practice critical to applicant’s career development. It is restricted to J.D.s and S.J.D.s due to graduate in 2026. One application for the 3 fellowships: Knox is only for a UK/Commonwealth country. Kennedy/Sheldon can go to more than one country. Applicants should choose their 2 letters of recommendation from Harvard faculty. This application requires a Fellowship Advising appointment in advance of submission to CARAT.