In light of the federal hiring freeze and related actions, the Heyman Fellowship Program has been suspended for the 2025 fellowship year.  If you are a 3L, feel free to make an appointment with an OPIA adviser or come to a drop-in hour if you need assistance.  If you are an HLS alum in need of public interest career support, please reach out to OPIA for an appointment.

Because many fellowships require you to pursue a project or position with a host organization and some fellowships have early deadlines, it is important to begin preparing during your 2L spring for the fellowship application process.

We are often asked by students interested in public service work about how to weigh their wide-ranging academic options while in law school. This advice is meant to offer broad guidance on the choices you may be contemplating. Please note that it is impossible to truly provide “one-size-fits-all” advice — if you have questions about particular options and how they might relate to your career plans, be sure to seek out an OPIA adviser. 

James & Hoffman PC, a law firm in Washington, DC that represents workers and labor unions, is hiring law students to assist with intake.  The firm is currently working to meet high demand from probationary federal employees who have lost their jobs and are seeking legal help.  Students will earn $20/hour.  Email firm associate Emily Postman at erpostman@jamhoff.com to inquire.

OPIA has compiled a few key dates that may be useful as you plan your summer internships and other commitments.

Some public sector employers who participated in the V-SIP resume collection have extended their deadlines to receive materials up until February 28th. Review the list of participating organizations below - and the class years they are recruiting - and follow Step 5 of the step-by-step instructions on submitting bids through the public sector V-SIP program. Submit your bids through Symplicity CSM.

We know it may seem early to start thinking about your post-graduate job search as a 2L. However, your 2L spring is the best time to check out our 3L Guide to Entry-Level Post-Graduate Jobs, start monitoring fellowship and entry-level job deadlines, and make an appointment with an OPIA adviser to position you for success in your search.

If you haven’t yet secured an internship for this summer, don’t panic. There are still public interest employers that are actively hiring in March and even in April. If you put in the effort, apply broadly, and remain persistent, you WILL find a summer job.

Due to federal hiring changes impacting in-process summer employment searches, judicial clerkships/internships will be eligible for summer public interest funding (SPIF) for the summer of 2025. Internships with a judge or court are typically not funded by SPIF, with the exception of international war crimes and human rights courts that involve more than one country.

The Henigson Fellowships require pre-review approval at least a month before they are due. Consult with HRP Associate Director Abadir Ibrahim.

Equal Justice America's fellowship program offers summer fellowship grants up to $5,000 for 10 weeks of full-time work. To apply, students need to have placement lined up with an organization that provides civil legal assistance to people in need. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2025.

For more information, please visit Equal Justice America's website.

Please note that applications for the following OPIA-administered fellowships are due in February:

Public Service Venture Fund Org-Based Fellowship
February 7, 2025, 5:00 pm 
PSVF Org-Based Fellowships are intended to help launch students’ and judicial clerks’ public interest careers at the public service organization of their choice that otherwise is not hiring at the entry-level.

• Youth Summer Fellowship, Indigenous Peoples & Minorities Section - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – Priority Deadline: February 3, 2025

• Youth Summer Fellowship, Humanitarian Funds (against Slavery & Torture) - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – Priority Deadline: February 3, 2025

• Legal Intern, Programmes & Projects Team - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Deadline: January 31, 2025

• Legal Intern, Administrative Law Team - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Deadline: January 31, 2025

• Legal Intern, Corporate and Institutional Law Team - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Deadline: January 31, 2025

If you have questions or concerns about your summer job search, please make an appointment or visit our daily drop-in office hours. Advisers are available to help with whatever job search questions you may be facing.

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.