ASU FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.PDF

SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR COLLEGE OF LAW
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
PUBLIC INTEREST POST-GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
Program Purpose
The Public Interest Post-Graduate Fellowship provides financial assistance to selected graduates
of the Class of 2013 who seek to make a difference by becoming a Post-Graduate Fellow. The
primary goal of the Fellowship Program is to provide new graduates an opportunity to contribute
to the public good between the time they graduate from law school and secure permanent
employment.
Eligibility Criteria
Graduates eligible for consideration for the program include the Sandra Day O’Connor College
of Law Class of 2013 May graduates and Class of 2012 December graduates who are currently
unemployed or underemployed.
Fellowship Overview
There are two types of Public Interest Post-Graduate Fellowships:
1. Licensed/Awaiting Licensure
This type of Public Interest Post-Graduate Fellowship is designed for eligible graduates who
passed a bar examination in any state and either already have their license number or who are
awaiting a bar number. Fellows selected will be able to choose the duration of the Fellowship
including eight, ten, or twelve weeks and will receive $2,000, $2,500, or $3,000, respectively.
The Fellowship will begin on Monday, February 10 and the Fellow will be expected to work
full-time until they have completed their weekly commitment.1 If awarded a Fellowship, the
selected Fellow, in collaboration with the College of Law, must secure a position that satisfies
the placement criteria set forth below. In the event that a selected Fellow obtains permanent
employment after being named a Fellow but before obtaining a Fellowship position and chooses
to withdraw from the Fellowship Program, he/she must immediately notify the College of Law in
writing. If, for any reason, the Fellow leaves the Fellowship Program before completing his/her
weekly commitment, the award will be reduced accordingly on a pro rata basis.
2. Graduates Studying for Bar Exam
This type of Public Interest Post-Graduate Fellowship is designed for eligible graduates who
intend to take a February 2014 bar examination in any state. Fellows selected will be able to
choose the duration of the Fellowship including eight, ten, or twelve weeks and will receive
$2,000, $2,500, or $3,000, respectively. The selected Fellows will be required to attend a thirty
(30) minute telephonic conference on Friday, February 14, 2014 at either 12pm MST or 4pm
1 If the Fellow cannot begin the Fellowship on February 10, the Fellow must indicate the reasons
in his/her essay.
1

MST.2 If awarded a Fellowship, the selected Fellow, in collaboration with the College of Law,
must secure a position that satisfies the placement criteria set forth below. In the event that a
selected Fellow obtains permanent employment after being named a Fellow but before obtaining
a Fellowship position and chooses to withdraw from the Fellowship Program, he/she must
immediately notify the College of Law in writing. If, for any reason, the Fellow leaves the
Fellowship Program before completing his/her weekly commitment, the award will be reduced
accordingly on a pro rata basis.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant Requirements:
 Meet with Director of Placement Services, Pamela Hoh, prior to December 20, 2013.
To schedule an appointment to meet with Pamela, please contact Pamela at
Pamela.hoh@asu.edu.
 Completed Application Form.
 An essay (one or two pages) outlining the applicant's immediate professional goals and
aspirations (see application for description of what must be included in the essay).
 Current resume.
Placement Criteria:
Selected Fellows, in collaboration with the College of Law, must secure an unpaid position in the
public service law sector that consists of legal work under the supervision of an attorney. The
following types of employers are eligible:
 City, state, or federal government agencies;
 Local, state, federal or international judge's chambers;
 Non-profit public interest organizations;
 International Human Rights or International Public Law organizations; and
 Private law firms with a predominantly public interest practice in which the Fellow will
work solely on pro bono matters. The firm must certify in writing that the Fellow will
work solely on public interest matters and that the firm will not seek compensation for
the Fellow's work.
Application Procedures
Completed applications are due to Career Services no later than Friday, December 20, 2013 via
hardcopy, email (lawcareerservices@asu.edu), or fax (480-727-8955).
2 If the Fellow cannot attend either telephone conference, he/she must include such information
in the essay so that alternative arrangements can be made.
2