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Fellowships and Awards

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Powell Fellowship

Quote from Justice PowellThe Powell Fellowship in Legal Services This fellowship honors former Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. It awards $40,000 to a graduating student of the law school or to a judicial clerk to enable him or her to work in public interest law and to enhance the delivery of legal services to the poor under the sponsorship of a public interest organization. The award is made for one year with the expectation that it will be renewed for a second year. Fellows receive the $40,000 plus the benefits that an employee of his or her sponsoring organization would ordinarily receive. The project must involve the provision of civil legal services to the indigent.

How to Apply:

The fellowship is open to third-year law students at the School of Law or recent Virginia law graduates who will complete a judicial clerkship by fall 2011. It is awarded on the strength of the project proposal and the sponsoring organization, and the personal qualities of the applicant, including academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to public service.

To apply, send a resumé; law school transcript; two letters of recommendation from law professors or attorneys who are familiar with the applicant's work; two essays (each not longer than one page, single spaced) one describing the project and the other discussing the applicant's commitment to public service; along with a letter from the sponsoring organization indicating their willingness to serve as the host organization, to:

Andrew Broaddus
Assistant Director of Public Service
University of Virginia School of Law
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903

The application deadline is Oct. 21, 2011. Finalist interviews may be conducted in Charlottesville. The Powell Fellowship is awarded in November.

PUBLIC INTEREST LAW ASSOCIATION (PILA) GRANTS This student-administered program provides summer fellowships to law students who accept low-paying or unpaid public service internships. Fellowships are funded by donations and matched by a grant from the Law School Foundation. In 2012, PILA distributed more than $483,000 to 109 grantees ($3,500 for first-year and $6,000 for second-year summers).
PILA Grantee Job Locations

MORTIMER CAPLIN PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP Provides summer fellowships to exceptional law students who accept low-paying or unpaid public service internships.

LINDA FAIRSTEIN PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP Provides summer fellowships to exceptional law students who accept low-paying or unpaid public service internships.

MONROE LEIGH FELLOWSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Provides $10,000 to be split between one or two students to pursue a public international law project of their own choosing during the summer following the first or second year, during the fall and/or spring of the third academic year, or for a post-graduate internship. Application information

Awards

HERBERT L. KRAMER/HERBERT BANGEL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Presented at graduation to the student who has contributed the most to their community. ($4,500)

MORTIMER CAPLIN PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD Presented at graduation to a student entering a public service career who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, integrity, and service to others. ($2,500)

CLAIRE CORCORAN AWARD Presented to one or two second-year students who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public interest work ($1,500 or $750).

ROBERT F. KENNEDY AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Awarded to the student who best exemplifies Senator Kennedy's ideals

PRO BONO AWARD Recognizes the student who exhibits an extraordinary commitment to pro bono service during his or her years at the Law School. The award is the highest recognition offered through the Law School's voluntary pro bono program, which encourages all students to provide at least 75 hours of free legal services to the indigent while at the law school.

PRO BONO SERVICE CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION Presented to graduates who have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the Law School's Pro Bono Program.