College of Law

Public Interest Summer Fellowships

The Public Interest Fellowship Committee is pleased to announce the availability of Public Interest Summer Fellowships for law students. Each year, several public interest summer fellowships are awarded to students. The number of awards and the amounts vary depending on the funding available.  

opportunities

Application & Selection Criteria

1. Applicants must be a current Toledo Law J.D. student in good academic standing who will be continuing at Toledo Law after the summer session.  Fellowships may not be received for work done after a student graduates.
2. Before applying, you must have secured a position as a volunteer or for nominal pay in a public interest position.
3. You must commit to work a minimum of 30 hours a week for at least ten (10) weeks over the summer in the public interest position.
4. Criteria that will be considered during the selection process include factors relevant to the student’s commitment to a public service career and the nature of the position (e.g. whether the position includes working with underrepresented individuals). Commitment may be demonstrated by a number of factors, including:
• Participation in public interest/volunteer activities in college, law school, and outside of school.
• Short essay describing student’s interest in public service and the relationship of the summer employment plans to their career goals.

Demonstrated commitment to serving under-served populations and/or long-term dedication to public service are criteria for being awarded a fellowship.  However, consideration will also be given to applicants who may not have amassed a substantial public interest record, but who have demonstrated their commitment in other ways and/or have explained the circumstances that may have deterred them from participation in such activities in the past in their essay.

Application Process

Interested students must submit the fellowship application (with attached resume in a Word doc and unofficial law school transcript) by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024. No applications will be accepted after this date and time. In addition, hand-written applications will NOT be considered. If you need to attach additional typed sheets to your application, please contact the Office of Professional Development at opd@utoledo.edu.

Questions about Public Interest Summer Fellowships should be directed to Abby Youngpeter in the Office of Professional Development.

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general puBLIC INTEREST fellowship

public Interest law association Fellowship

The Public Interest Law Association Fellowship is for a student working in a public interest position including non-profit organizations providing services to underrepresented clients, groups or interests (e.g. individuals without the financial means to hire an attorney, the elderly, minority groups, etc.) or working for a government entity.

You will automatically be considered for this fellowship if you meet the criteria listed when you submit an application for the Public Interest Summer Fellowship. The amount of the award depends on the funds available.

Questions about the Public Interest Law Association Fellowship should be directed to Abby Youngpeter  in the Office of Professional Development.

Social and racial justice fellowship

Sara E. Rios Memorial Fellowship Fund for social and racial justice

The Sara E. Rios Memorial Fellowship Fund for Social and Racial Justice was established in memory of Toledo Law alumna Sara E. Rios ’82 ’85. An advocate for others, Sara was on a quest for justice and equality. This endowed fund is the result of generous contributions made by many alumni and friends who knew and loved Sara.

You will automatically be considered for this fellowship if you meet the criteria listed when you submit an application for the Public Interest Summer Fellowship and include a statement on how you would contribute to Rios' legacy of breaking barriers and opening doors for those who have historically been disadvantaged or faced social adversity. The amount of the award depends on the funds available.

Questions about the Sara E. Rios Memorial Fellowship for Social and Racial Justice should be directed to Abby Youngpeter in the Office of Professional Development.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Fellowship

Joel A. and Shirley A. Levine Public Interest Fellowship in Alternative Dispute Resolution

This fund was established to provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Students must have a demonstrated commitment or interest in alternative dispute resolution and a strong academic record with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students may be full-time or part-time. Recipients must work in a supervised position in areas such as:

1. A Court-Annexed Program
2. The Supreme Court of Ohio, Dispute Resolution Section
3. Law School Center for Dispute Resolution
4. Other with Faculty Approval

You will automatically be considered for this fellowship if you meet the criteria listed when you submit an application for the Public Interest Summer Fellowship. The amount of the award depends on the funds available.

Questions about the Joel A. and Shirley A. Levine Public Interest Fellowship in Alternative Dispute Resolution Fellowship should be directed to Professor Maara Fink in the Legal Clinic.