Clinics Scholars Program

About the CSJ Scholars Program

The Seton Hall Law School Center for Social Justice (CSJ) will name as CSJ Scholars up to four (4) outstanding students from the incoming 2L class who demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and who are planning public interest careers. This opportunity is open to all students who have completed their first year of law school, including both full-time and weekend students. CSJ Scholars are committed to social change and dedicated to providing legal services to those in need. They seek to undertake law reform efforts to promote social justice. They persevere in the face of challenge.

We seek applications now for CSJ Scholars to serve starting in the fall of 2022. The Scholars, who will serve until graduation from Seton Hall Law School, will be supported and encouraged in pursuing a range of public interest opportunities and will be offered or assisted in applying for several benefits, including:

1. Summer stipend funded through a Public Interest Law Fellowship (PILF) for an appropriate summer internship at a public interest organization or a funded summer position at the Center for Social Justice;
2. The opportunity to work as a research assistant or engage in pro bono work with a CSJ attorney whose scholarship or casework focuses on a public interest topic that is of interest to the Scholar;
3. A one-time stipend of $1,000 during the first year of service;
4. The option to participate in clinics for a full year during their final year of law school rather than the ordinary limit of one semester; and,
5. Participation in educational and networking events.

The CSJ Scholars are expected to help plan and implement social justice programming or public service projects in collaboration with CSJ faculty.

The CSJ Scholars Application Process

Interested applicants must submit via email: (1) a resume; (2) an unofficial transcript; (3) a list of two references (one or both can be Seton Hall Law faculty); and (4) a cover letter that articulates (a) the student’s commitment to public interest law and interest in serving as a CSJ Scholar and (b) a proposed public interest project, program, or event that the Scholar would like to organize, such as a community training, a one-day clinic to provide legal services, an educational event for law students, a public interest career forum, etc. The project or event should be described in 1 or 2 short paragraphs. Specific details are not required. Please explain why you think this program would be a good addition to the public interest programming of the Center for Social Justice.

Application materials must be received no later than Thursday, September 1, 2022 at noon. Please include “[Your name] CSJ Scholar Applicant" in your subject line and email your application materials to [email protected]. Interviews for finalists will be held in September.

For information on past CSJ Scholars, click here.