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

Medals of Excellence Go to Nina Shaw ’79, Jonathan D. Schilller ’73

Shaw cofounded Time's Up and has worked to increase opportunities for people of color in law. Schiller's accomplishments include supporting the study of human rights law at Columbia and, as a university trustee, working against gender-based misconduct on campus.

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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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Elora Mukherjee: A Champion of Immigrants’ Rights

The Jerome L. Greene Clinical Professor of Law and the students in her Immigrants’ Rights Clinic represent individuals and families seeking asylum and advocate for migrants across the country.

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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

Graduates in Public Interest/Civil Rights Law Firms

Why work at a public interest/civil rights law firm? Graduates working at public interest firms and students who have interned …

Is EIP For Me if I’m a Public Interest Student?

Is EIP For Me if I’m a Public Interest Student?

Looking Ahead: Career Pathways Event

Get advice on how to make a successful career transition. You will learn about the attorneys' career paths and opportunities …

Deadline: LL.M. Public Interest and Government Fellowship

Funds a Class of 2019 LL.M. graduate to work in public interest, government, or human rights for 10-52 weeks.

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