The Sparer Fellowship Program is an outstanding opportunity for high-caliber, qualified students to engage in concentrated studies and unique internships. Fellows are placed at leading public interest organizations, in the U.S. and abroad, providing legal services to underrepresented constituencies. Members of the Sparer Faculty Committee and the Director of Public Service Programs assist fellows in finding a placement that matches their interests. They receive a stipend of $5,000 for their summer internship, and additional funds are available to offset travel expenses when a placement is located outside of New York.
The internships provide students with valuable experience in state and federal litigation, drafting legislation, commenting on proposed laws and regulations, organizing communities, counseling clients, and negotiating with adversaries and government agencies. Each fall, the fellows present compelling accounts of their internships to the Law School community that help educate their peers on public interest issues.
Fellows are mentored by members of the Sparer Fellowship Committee as well as alumni fellows, creating a close-knit community of like-minded individuals. They also attend the program’s monthly luncheons on timely topics, and the annual Sparer forum or symposium on critical issues in public interest law.