Cherry blossoms in front of Columbia University's Low Library

Social Justice Initiatives

Letter from Dean Erica Smock

Social Justice Initiatives (SJI) 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.
Fellowships
Summer Funding
Pro Bono
LL.M. Resources

News from SJI

Is the Government Shutdown Discouraging Public Service?

"I think it derails bright young law students from entering government service," said our director of government programs, Rachel Pauley, to the New York Law Journal. Columbia Professor William Yeomans: "It will be a real shame if students miss out on that experience."

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Kimberlé Crenshaw Named an American Academy of Political & Social Science Fellow

Professor Crenshaw, a leading scholar of civil rights, introduced the concept of intersectionality to the national dialogue.

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Hannah Rosner ’21, Caitlin Lowell ’21 Named Greene Public Service Scholars

These full-tuition scholarships are made possible thanks to a generous gift from the Jerome L. Greene Foundation.

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Student Voices

Patricia Okonta '18 on Joining Columbia Law's Cohort of Leaders
Patricia Okonta ’18 on Joining Columbia Law’s Cohort of Leaders
Jacob Bogart ’18 on his Human Rights Work at Columbia Law
Jacob Bogart ’18 on His Human Rights Work at Columbia Law
Yasmin Theodros Dagne ’18, on Studying Human Rights, Public Interest Law
Yasmin Theodros Dagne ’18 on Studying Human Rights, Public Interest Law

Upcoming Events

Pro Bono Application Deadline: Legal Clinic for the Homeless

Help homeless families access shelter, services, and justice.

1L Public Interest Mock Interview Program

Practice for your summer job interviews. Registration opens on Symplicity on January 9.

Pro Bono Application Deadline: Human Trafficking Intervention Court

Help homeless families access shelter, services, and justice.

SJI Welcome Back Mixer

Catch up with your friends in the Law School public interest, public service, and human rights law student community.

View Event Calendar