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.

These 1-hour sessions, broken into two 30-minute slots each, are designed to allow you to connect directly with employers and learn more about their work. Register now!

OCS and OPIA will be hosting a virtual Spring Interview Program (SIP) featuring both private and public sector employers recruiting for summer and postgraduate positions. Bidding will take place in early January, with virtual interviews being held in early February. In conjunction with the Virtual Spring Interview Program, there will be virtual employer chats with public sector employers on January 14th 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.

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.

Interviews that persuade and stick reflect five key elements.

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 7, 2025 by 11:59 PM: International Court of Justice Judicial Fellows Programme nomination application due
January 13, 2025: International Legal Studies Post-Graduate Fellowship application due (for work in international courts and tribunals)
January 13, 2025: 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.

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 13, 2025. 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.

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 and learn about the PSVF Seed Grant.

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. 

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.

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 23 & 24, 2025. 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.

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

For those interested in public international law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s Judicial Fellowship Programme offers an opportunity like a clerkship. HLS is one of several law schools invited to nominate a single candidate, and the school provides a stipend to its nominee. Now would be a good time for anyone interested in the position for fall 2025 to gear up to apply. The Court has not yet released its application timeline for the 2025-2026 term, but we expect it to be similar to past years, for which applications were due internally to HLS in early January. Additional details are on the OCS page about the Judicial Fellows Programme.

If you’re interested in learning more about legal nonprofit work, check out the following resources.

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 2025. 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.

Private public interest law firms (PPILFs) are involved in many of the same issues addressed by not-for-profit public interest legal organizations and government agencies – but in a law firm setting. Interested in learning more about PPILFs? The following resources can help you begin your exploration.

Jonathan W. Cuneo COSAL/Justice Catalyst Fellowship

The COSAL enforces anti-trust laws to promote class equity by holding large corporations accountable and stemming anti-competitive practices that harm consumers and small businesses. Applicants must contact one of the preferred law firm host(s) before applying. Sign up for advising with Judy Murciano by making a Fellowship appointment.