Public Interest Law
Graduate Public Interest Fellowship FAQ University of Houston Law Center
What is the purpose of the fellowship?
What are the terms of the fellowship?
How do I apply for the fellowship?
What criteria are considered for selection of fellows?
Which organizations are eligible placements for the graduate fellowship program?
I'm already working with an eligible organization, why can't I stay with them for the fellowship?
What happens after I apply for the fellowship?
If selected, what do I need to do to get the money and when?
What is the career coaching and counseling program?
What if I am selected for a fellowship, but my plans between now and September change?
Do I have to pay taxes on the fellowship money?
What is the purpose of the fellowship?
The purpose of our fellowship is to help graduates increase their marketability while providing a valuable community service through working with government or non-profit legal organizations. The goal is to work with an organization that will expand a graduate's experience/resume and increase their connections in the legal market while also engaging in our weekly career coaching & counseling program. The fellowship program helps graduates productively bridge the time between sitting for a bar exam and receiving bar results.
What are the terms of the fellowship?
Fellows agree to use their education and talents to serve the public interest organization while waiting for bar results by working at least 20 hours a week for 10 weeks beginning the last week of August and ending the first week of November. The exact schedule is to be negotiated between the school, the graduate and the organization. Graduates must also participate in our fellowship career coaching & counseling program, which includes periodic meetings on our campus.
The fellowship award is up to $4,000 for this ten week period. Additional funding requests to defray travel expenses for out-of-state placements will be considered in an amount up to $1000.00. The exact amount of the travel grant awarded will be determined by the program administrator in accordance with funds available for competing needs.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
The application is a three-step process (1) prior to arranging placement, meet with the Assistant Dean and Assistant Director for Career Development to discuss placement options relevant to your career goals (schedule appointments here) by May 20, 2011 (2) apply, gain approval, and have your organization submit the Agency Agreement by June 3, 2011 and (3) email your application and resume to Catherine Wright in the Career Development Office also by June 3, 2011.
Once the fellowship committee approves an application,
the applicant must meet with the agency for their signature of the Bar
Card Application within ten days (assuming the placement is representation oriented). Graduate Fellows
are responsible for paying the $10.00 fee to the State
Bar for their temporary license and for mailing the application.
The applicant must return the Agreement to Participate Form to Career Development and execute any other required documents
to secure/process the funds.
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What criteria are
considered for selection of fellows?
While we expect to award up to fifty fellowships, please know that there are always limits to funding. A timely application with a placement in line with the fellowship purpose increases your likelihood of receiving an award. The following criteria are considered:
1. Applicant's need for employment.
2.
Applicant’s legal
and other work experience and how the fellowship will enhance applicant's legal skills and resume.
3. Applicant’s articulated career and first job goals as compared to the placement secured. An explanation of how this program/placement will help prepare applicant to embark on their career is most helpful.
4. Applicant’s interest
in serving the community (whether for this period of time
or as a career). A lack of previous community service should
not deter a graduate from submitting an application.
5. Quality and seriousness of application.
What organizations are eligible placements for the graduate fellowship program?
In line with the program purpose, graduates select only placement where they have not previously interned/worked. Most non-profit and state or local government offices involved in the legal system will qualify. Federal agencies have determined they cannot provide placement for graduates. Work to be performed must be of a substantive legal nature and must be supervised by a licensed attorney. Some employers post positions that can be searched as 2011 Graduate Fellowship in the Jobs section of Symplicity. However, graduates should not be limited by this list. If you have particular passion for an area of law, you should pursue a placement in that area, even if a position is not yet posted. Meet with the career development office to discuss options.
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I'm already working with an eligible organization, why can't I stay with them for the fellowship?
One of the primary purposes of the program is to help graduates increase their marketability which includes adding a new experience to the resume and building new connections in the legal community. As such, a graduate needs to seek placement with an organization where they have not previously worked/interned and that will help further their career goals. Visit with the career office about placement options.
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What happens after I apply for a fellowship?
Applications are reviewed and applicants will be notified of decisions via email before the end of June, 2011. If selected, the candidate must then make arrangements to meet with their organization and obtain signatures on their Bar Card Application within 10 days of notification of the award.
If selected, what do I need to do to get the money and when?
To be eligible for payment, fellows must
1. Begin working and every two weeks provide a summary of work and hours and projects by completing the electronic form located at http://www.law.uh.edu/pil/graduate/public-fellowship-timesheet.asp.
2. Complete commitment of hours to the agency and all reporting requirements for the fellowship program; and
3. Attend weekly career counseling/coaching and/or networking events as scheduled by the Career Development Office.
4. Maintain contact with the Law Center and respond to post-fellowship evaluation and employment survey requests.
Important note: The first fellowship payments will not be processed until after the first timesheets are submitted. Payment processing usually takes 4-6 weeks. Thus, payment will not begin until early to mid October.
What is the career coaching and counseling program?
As indicated, a primary purpose of the program is increasing a graduate's marketability. Thus in addition to the valuable legal experience a fellow gains, they will also participate in weekly career coaching/counseling and job search related assignments/events. Some meetings will be on campus in a group setting, some individual and some over the telephone. If you will be relocating 100 miles or more from Houston for your fellowship, career coaching/counseling will be via telephone or Skype. Exact schedule will be determined in August.
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What if I am selected for a fellowship, but my plans between now and August change?
The participating organizations are extremely busy and have made special arrangements to accommodate/arrange work for our fellows. We ask that you make every effort to fulfill your commitment to them prior to embarking on another path. If you receive/accept a full time job, please notify Catherine Wright and Dean Regan immediately, and the Law Center will try and fill your spot with another eligible candidate. However, once you have received the fellowship funds, the expectation is that you will complete the fellowship. If you cannot complete your obligation, you must return the funding to the Law Center. Please keep in contact with Dean Beassie and let her know of any concerns, employment offers, and other life-changing events which may impact your fellowship.
Do I have to pay taxes on the fellowship money?
Each individual should check with their own tax advisor. The fellowship is an educational opportunity closely akin to a scholarship, however the University may issue a 1099 for funds released. Taxes owed would depend upon a number of factors, so again, each individual should check with their own tax advisor.
