Law students across the country are eager to work on pressing problems created or highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, many organizations and legal practitioners on the front lines of the crisis need assistance urgently, but may not be in a position to take on summer fellows. Through The COVID-19 Rapid Response/Systems Summer Institute, we are committed to bridging the gap between those students and those organizations. Having received hundreds of fellowship applications from students in the last few days, we are now seeking project partner organizations and lawyers, and pro bono attorneys to provide additional mentorship and supervision.
Fellows will work individually or on teams on a variety of project types, including:
- Direct client work (e.g., law-related work, such as staffing a helpline or assisting individuals with unemployment insurance forms)
- Legal research/writing
- Advocacy efforts
We are seeking lawyers interested in volunteering any amount of time to provide supervision and mentorship to motivated law students. We will work with you to find opportunities that match your availability and any conflicts concerns. You will make a real difference to law students eager for mentorship, and organizations on the front lines of responding to the crisis without the capacity to provide full supervision for all they work they need.
If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering to support this project, please complete this form or contact us at systemssummerinstitute@gmail.com
Finally, if you are able to support the work of the Summer Institute, please consider a donation through People’s Parity Project, and allow us to provide more law students the opportunity to work with our partner organizations to support the most vulnerable groups in our society at this vital time. All funds will be used to support fellow stipends to carry out this work.
More information about the institute is available on this webinar: