Main content

Summer Stipends

In spring 2024 semester, Emory Law launched a new stipend program for first- and second-year juris doctor students who accept summer volunteer jobs at legal public sector and public interest organizations.

“Many valuable summer legal experiences are unpaid, and we want students to be able to consider them,” said Emory Law Assistant Dean for Career Development Natasha Patel.

The new public sector stipends are designed to encourage students to pursue summer legal experiences, including judicial internships, that they might not consider because of financial concerns, Patel said. 

“The stipends will be awarded to students who have accepted positions that clearly reflect their career goals,” Patel said. “The intent is to defray living expenses for students who have accepted pro bono summer jobs at a nonprofit or government agency, including the judiciary.”

To qualify for the $3,500 award, the position must last a minimum of six weeks, working 35 hours per week. On-campus jobs will not be considered, but the stipend can be used for qualifying work abroad. Students will receive 80% of funding at the start of their internship, and the balance upon completion. Students may only receive one stipend per summer, and it cannot be combined with an Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC) summer grant or other public interest fellowship.  

Currently enrolled students may apply for a summer stipend here

2024 Emory Law Fellowship Program (ELFP)

A Bridge to Practice: Emory Law Fellowship Program

To facilitate entry into practice for our recent graduates, Emory Law offers stipends to its juris doctor graduates who continue to seek permanent employment. Participants receive $2,100 per month from Emory Law to work at least 140 hours per month with a public sector employer. Graduates may start working in the Fellowship Program immediately after taking a state Bar Exam. The last day to apply for a 2024 Emory Law Fellowship is December 31, 2024.

Working in a fellowship allows graduates to gain practical legal experience and cultivate contacts in any city while still actively engaging in their job search. This helps graduates to secure permanent employment either with their fellowship employer or a similarly situated employer.

Program Details

Graduate Eligibility

To be eligible for the fellowship program, a graduate must (1) have received a juris doctor from Emory Law School between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024; (2) have taken a state bar exam; and (3) be actively searching for full-time, long-term legal employment.  

Note: This program is not open to graduates who have accepted a job offer but have a deferred start date (e.g., associate position starting in January 2025).

Employer Eligibility

To be eligible for the fellowship program, an employer must (1) be a federal, state, or local government agency/office/court or a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; and (2) be able to provide substantive legal work for a fellow. 

Employers are not required to have an Emory Law alumnus on staff to participate in ELFP. They can be located in any city and work with more than one fellow at a time.

Fellowship Allocation and Duration

Each fellow may work for a three-month term in any city/state. Acceptance in the fellowship program is at the sole discretion of the ELFP Review Committee. 

Participation is granted based on various factors including, but not limited to:

  • How the fellowship placement aligns with the graduate’s career goals;
  • Likelihood that the fellowship placement will lead to a permanent position with that employer;
  • Whether the fellowship employer has previously hired any Emory Law graduates; and,
  • Continued and diligent job search efforts by the graduate as reported to and evaluated by the ELFP Review Committee.

Fellowship Terms

Graduates who work at least 140 hours per month with an approved public sector employer will be paid a $2,100 monthly stipend by Emory Law. Fellows typically work 35 hours per week, but it is up to each fellow and employer to set a mutually agreeable schedule.

  • If the employer is not located in a metro area, the fellow will receive an additional $250 per month (a $2,350 monthly stipend). In Georgia, for example, this “rural bonus” applies to employers located outside of DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. 

At the end of each month, fellows must submit a timesheet to Emory Law verifying how many hours they worked and giving a detailed update about their job search efforts for that month. Fellows are typically paid by the 15th of the following month.

Fellows are expected to accept a permanent position if offered by their fellowship employer. 

If a fellow secures a permanent position elsewhere, fellows are asked to give their fellowship employers at least two weeks’ notice before leaving for other employment.

**Fellows who complete a bar review course and take the July bar exam will be reimbursed $2,100 toward the expense of the course.

Finding a Fellowship Employer

Graduates should find their own fellowship employer based on their preferred areas of practice and location.  Any graduate who needs assistance finding a fellowship employer or has questions about the program should contact ELFP Director Emily Bramer.

Application Process

  1. Graduate submits an ELFP Application after finding a public sector employment opportunity.
  2. Graduate will be notified by email when the application is approved or if the ELFP Review Committee needs additional information in order to make its decision. 
  3. After receiving written confirmation that the application has been approved, the graduate should have the fellowship employer review and sign the ELFP Employer Guidelines.
  4. Graduate should then complete a New Supplier Information Form (SIF) and email it to Emily R. Bramer. To ensure timely processing:
  • Keep the SIF form in its original Excel format. Do not save it as a PDF. 
  • Select “Yes” to Question No. 8 (allowing direct deposit for your stipend) and then enter your bank information. Note: Some banks have different routing numbers for direct deposits so please check with your financial institution if you have any questions. Submitting the wrong information will delay receipt of your stipend.
  • Please note that the address you list here is where your 1099 tax form will be sent in January. If you ever want to change that address, you will need to submit a new form.  

The Right to Revoke

The ELFP Review Committee may revoke and/or recoup a stipend at any time upon the finding of a misrepresentation by the fellow or fellowship employer. Acceptance and continued participation in the Fellowship program are at the sole discretion of the ELFP Review Committee.

The Aaron L. Buchsbaum Postgraduate Fellowship

The Aaron L. Buchsbaum Fellowship is awarded every other year. The next application period will open in late 2024. The one-year fellowship with the Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) is open to 3Ls and recent Emory Law graduates with a demonstrated interest in public service. Applicants must be members of the Georgia Bar, or if Class of 2025, plan to take the Bar Exam in July 2025. Preference will be given to applicants interested in working in GLSP’s Savannah, Georgia, office, which serves 11 counties.

Responsibilities: circuit-ride to outlying counties; handle cases in state and federal court and administrative forums; conduct community legal education sessions and engage in outreach activities; participate with other advocates on action teams that explore and solve systemic issues that affect clients

Requirements: demonstrated interest and experience working with low-income clients and/or on poverty law issues. Good oral advocacy, writing, and computer skills, and also, a reliable car and driver’s license. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

Start Date: summer or early fall 2025. Application deadline will be announced in fall 2024.