First Year Fellows Program

First Year Fellows Program

The First Year Fellows program offers 1Ls a meaningful way to engage with public interest law, regardless of your intended career path. Fellows join a network of students committed to justice and receive support through workshops, mentorship, and early access to opportunities.

Expectations for Fellows

Attend 5 lunchtime workshops during the school year, scheduled around the 1L class schedule. Lunch is provided, and each workshop lasts 75 minutes. There will be two sessions in the Fall Semester and three in the Spring Semester. First Year Fellows will have the opportunity to vote on the topics for the workshops in the Spring Semester.

Past workshop topics have included:

• Legal landscape in Washington
• Lawyering with Care: Trauma-Informed and Resilience-Focused Practices
• Discovering your strengths and professional identity
• Melting Ice: A Toolkit for Defending Due Process and Fighting Back Against Illegal Policing

How to Apply

Please submit a short personal statement (250-500 words) in response to the prompt below:

Tell us about a specific experience, person, community, or issue that has shaped the way you think about justice, service, or helping others. Reflect on how that experience influenced your interest in law school, public service, or the kind of lawyer you hope to become.

Personal statements should include your name and email address, and should be double-spaced. Please submit your application via email no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 25 to Lily Su, ATJI Director.