February 11, 2021

Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2021 Judge Harry Pregerson Public Service Fellowships

Southwestern’s Public Service Program invites eligible first- and second-year students to apply for the Judge Harry Pregerson Public Service Summer Fellowships.  These Fellowships, which will be awarded to five (5) second-year students and five (5) first-year students, are designed to encourage students to pursue careers reflecting Judge Pregerson’s values, determination, and impact on life in Southern California. 

Judge Pregerson was cherished for being a modest, down-to-earth man who became a powerful voice for the disenfranchised, who fought to ensure respect and human dignity for immigrants, the unhoused, people of color, veterans, women, and so many others.

As both a zealous private lawyer and a much respected federal judge who served for 50 years on the Central District of California and later the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Pregerson was the conscience of our community.

He believed in creative solutions fashioned through coalition- and consensus-building, and delighted in the process of charming, cajoling, and (when necessary) ordering people and institutions to do the right thing.  

These fellowships are designed to support full-time work during the summer. Up to five (5) first-year students will be awarded a summer fellowship in the sum of $5,500. Up to five (5) second-year students will be awarded a summer fellowship in the sum of $8,000.

For timely consideration, applications must be submitted no later than Friday, March 5, 2021.

Current first-year and second-year students (and equivalents) with a demonstrated commitment to Harry’s values are encouraged to apply. 

Application Instructions and Candidate Interviews

Submit a JHP Public Service Fellowship application form along with a resume and 600-word minimum statement describing:

• (i) your experience in public service or commitment to working on behalf of underserved communities;
• (ii) factors that influenced your commitment to public service; and
• (iii) why you are a competitive candidate.

For purposes of the JHP Public Service Summer Fellowship, public service is defined broadly: encompassing policy and legal positions with government, civil legal aid agencies, non-profit organizations, academia, social entrepreneurship, community development, and law firms whose primary mission is serving the public interest.

A Review Committee, consisting of Southwestern faculty and staff, will review all student applications received after close of deadline. Selected first and second-year candidates will be invited to be interviewed by Committee members. The Committee will give priority to applicants with a history of full-time nonprofit or public interest-focused work.  In assessing criteria, the program looks at the whole person and considers previous life experience and professional work.

Applicant materials to be submitted as one PDF file to publicservice@swlaw.edu by Friday, March 5, 2021.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Virtual interviews will take place during the week of Monday, March 15, 2021 via Zoom.

Inquiries regarding the JHP Public Service Fellowships can be directed to Michelle Takagishi-Almeida, Director, Public Service Program: publicservice@swlaw.edu.

Learn more about the Judge Harry Pregerson Service Fellowships here.