Social Justice Initiatives

Cherry blossoms in front of Columbia University's Low Library

Social Justice Initiatives provides career services and programming for students and graduates interested in public interest, international human rights, public service/government, and legal volunteer work. SJI also implements and oversees Columbia Law School's Pro Bono Program, which connects students with attorney-supervised projects in the public good, as well as the Law School's Guaranteed Summer Funding Program.

News from SJI

Columbia Expands Public Interest Loan Repayment, Summer Funding

Columbia Law School has unveiled new initiatives to help students pursue careers in public interest law.

The Story Behind the Law School's First Summer Read

Ibrahim Diallo ’20 led the effort to have all incoming students read Devil in the Grove, an acclaimed book about a landmark 1940s civil rights case—and then invited the author to campus to discuss its relevance today.

New Resources on Public Interest / Civil Rights Firms

Check out our new guides to learn more about these unique public interest employers (note: login required).

Patricia Okonta ’18 on Joining Columbia Law’s Cohort of Leaders

Jacob Bogart ’18 on his Human Rights Work at Columbia Law

Yasmin Theodros Dagne ’18 on Studying Human Rights, Public Interest Law

Upcoming Events

Nov19 Deadline: Millstein Public Service Fellowship

This postgraduate fellowship funds a graduate to work on financial regulation issue in the U.S. Congress or an Executive Branch …

Nov19 SJI Monday: Mni Wiconi - An Update on Legal Action at Standing Rock

Learn about the lawsuit filed by Standing Rock Reservation residents that argues that law enforcement limited their right to assemble, …

Jan23 Deadline: Kirkland & Ellis New York City Public Service Fellowship

Funds a J.D. graduate to work as a staff attorney or carry out a project at a nonprofit in the U.S.

Jan25 Deadline: Morrison & Foerster Public Interest in Japan Summer Fellowship

Funds a position in public interest in Japan over 2L or 3L summer (or, in exceptional circumstances, over the summer following …

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