Learn more about the private public interest law firms recruiting through V-PIIP with these resources to help you prepare your applications.

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 some earlier deadlines of which we are currently aware.

Although the vast majority of public interest employers will not begin to consider applications for 2L summer internships until the fall, we wanted to alert you to a few earlier deadlines of which we are currently aware.

Learn more about the prosecutor's offices and defender agencies recruiting through V-PIIP. Review these resources to help you prepare your bids.

Some of you may be considering government work for your 2L summer. Most federal agencies, and many state and local offices (including the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ]) offer formal internship programs for students. Learn more about how to approach your government internship search and read about important upcoming deadlines.

Over 120 organizations have signed up to participate in this year's Virtual Public Interest Interview Program (V-PIIP), either through virtual interviewing or resume collection! Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to apply for summer and postgraduate positions with public interest organizations all across the country. Review our resources to help you prepare for the program. We will continue to send you important information and updates throughout the summer, including news on new employer registrations, which extends through August. Please schedule an appointment with an OPIA adviser to help you prepare for the program. Review more employer details through Symplicity CSM

Learn more about the nonprofit and legal services employers recruiting through V-PIIP. Review these resources to help you prepare your bid list and get a snapshot of currently registered employers.

Learn more about the government employers currently recruiting through V-PIIP and find resources to help you prepare.

An independent clinical opportunity is available in the Legal Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for the Fall 2024 semester.  The student will likely be asked to work on matters arising out of the operation and development of payment systems as well as other fintech-related initiatives, including technical research into central bank digital currency systems. 

Students should submit a resume and cover letter to Dana Pierce, Director of Externships, at dpierce@law.harvard.edu by August 1, 2024. Applications will be sent to the Federal Reserve Bank for their review and selection. Once a student is selected by the Federal Reserve Bank, the student will be required to submit an independent clinical application.

More info about this opportunity with the Federal Reserve Bank.

The application deadline for the Spring 2025 White House Internship Program is July 26, 2024, and the application deadline for the HLS Semester in Washington Program is August 16, 2024. Read more

Check out our summer job FAQs for answers to more commonly asked questions about the summer public interest job search.

Don’t miss the chance to apply for 2025 fellowship host opportunities closing soon. Survey the landscape at our fellowship host organization deadlines feed, and read more about fellowships generally in our recent e-advising post. Sponsorship deadlines will continue throughout the summer.

As you are likely just starting your summer position, we know that it feels early to start thinking about your next one. But, for many students, the application process for 2L public interest summer positions begins in late summer/early fall, and we want to make sure you are well prepared.

Congratulations on completing Harvard Law School! OCS and OPIA remain available to you for advice throughout your career. Read about our career resources for alumni. 

Congratulations on completing your 2L year! Now that you are a rising 3L, be on the lookout for our 3L Weekly Bulletins and check out the 3L Guide to Entry-Level Post-Graduate Jobs to help you plan your post-graduate job search.

As you take a breath between the end of finals period and the beginning of your summer job, now is a great time to start to familiarize yourself with the timeline and public interest job search process you can expect during your 2L year. (You read that right – you’re a 2L now!)

Though it’s only May, some early fellowship sponsorship deadlines have already been announced. Don’t miss the chance to apply for host opportunities closing in late May and early June in particular. Get a head start on surveying the landscape at our fellowship host organization deadlines feed, and read more about fellowships generally in our recent e-advising post. Sponsorship deadlines will continue throughout the summer.

You have successfully navigated the summer job search, and you begin your internship full of excitement and optimism. But what if, in the middle of your summer, you’re not having the experience you’d hoped for? Perhaps you’re not getting enough work, or enough supervision. Or, maybe you’re getting too much work, or are confused about how to approach a project, or are feeling overwhelmed. Here are some suggestions for addressing some common summer internship challenges students face.

If you have secured employment, please take a minute to complete the Graduate Employment Survey in CSM. The ABA requires all law schools to report the employment outcomes for its graduates pursuant to ABA Standard 509(b). The information you provide will be reported in the aggregate, will not be shared with anyone, and will allow us to comply with this ABA requirement.

If you are unsure of your start date, so that you can complete the survey, you may enter an estimated date and note in the survey that it is approximate. The Office of Career Services will follow up with you later in the spring for an updated start date.

Read this post for information regarding upcoming Bar Exam application deadlines.

Thinking of applying for a U.S. Department of Justice Volunteer Legal Internship? Our application guide is now updated for this year's application cycle.

Read the 2023 OPIA Insider’s Guide to the U.S. Department of Justice Volunteer Legal Internship Application Process.