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

Seven Students Awarded Public Service Fellowships

The coveted fellowships support students’ first full-time jobs at NGOs, nonprofits, and in government.

A New Leader at Social Justice Initiatives

Erica Smock ’95 brings boots-on-the-ground experience as a public interest lawyer to her role as SJI dean.

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

Oct23 U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

What is it like to work as a federal prosecutor? Find out at our panel discussion with Neil Corwin, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney …

Oct23 SPIN/SJI Mentorship Dinner

Connect, share experiences, and make plans for future meetups.

Oct24 The Scoop on 1L Public Interest Summers

1Ls: Chat with upper-year students about their 1L public interest summers in a wide array of practice areas.

Oct25 Human Rights Institute Lunch Talk: Mental Health and Trauma: New Research and Tactics for Resilient Advocacy

A Human Rights Institute 20th Anniversary Series Event

Header Menu

Social Justice Initiatives

News from SJI

Student Voices

Upcoming Events