Liman Fellows work on their public interest law projects for one year, beginning in the summer or fall after the fellowship is awarded. Fellows provide the Program with periodic progress reports, including a final report at the end of the fellowship year.
In the spring of the fellowship year, that year’s Liman Fellows return to the Law School for the Program’s annual public interest law colloquium, which they help plan. In addition to speaking at the Colloquium, they are in residence at the Law School to participate in classes and to discuss with current students their work in the public interest.
The Program also encourages current and former Fellows to remain engaged with the Law School and with each other. Fellows participate in as many of the yearly activities as possible.
All graduates of the Yale Law School are eligible to apply, as are third-year students. Applications are considered by the Liman Fellowship Selection Committee, chaired by the Arthur Liman Professor of Law, Judith Resnik. In reviewing each application, the Committee considers several factors, including experience in using law to further the public interest (whether in public service organizations; government service; education, including law school clinics; or the private sector); competence in the areas covered by the proposed fellowship project; leadership capabilities; academic accomplishments; references; and a demonstrated commitment to public service. In addition, the Committee evaluates the need for the proposed Fellowship project, its potential impact, and the capacity of both the applicant and the sponsoring organization, if any, to implement it.
Prior to submitting an application, applicants are strongly urged to contact the Director of the Liman Program, Sarah French Russell, to discuss their proposed Fellowship project. Applicants are also encouraged to contact former Liman Fellows.
A complete application must include:
- A short statement describing (1) prior experiences in public interest law; (2) prior experiences that demonstrate or fostered the applicant’s commitment to public service; and (3) aspirations for future public interest work. Rather than restate one’s resume, applicants are encouraged to submit a thematic or focused essay.
- A proposed plan for the fellowship year, which must include either the creation of a new legal project or a commitment (contingent on funding) to work at an ongoing one. The applicant should specify the need for the project, individual goals to be met by the project, how the goals will further the public interest, and how they will be accomplished in a year’s time. A proposed timeline for the year is strongly encouraged.
- A statement of other fellowships to which the applicant has applied and the status of those applications as well as expected plans should the applicant not obtain a Liman Fellowship.
- At least three letters of recommendation. Two letters should be from current or former professors or other persons associated with Yale Law School. The third should be from an employer or someone familiar with the applicant’s recent job experience and legal work.
- A résumé, preferably including a list of additional references from prior employers.
- The applicant’s Yale Law School transcript.
- A letter from the applicant’s sponsoring organization, if any, detailing (1) a general statement of its organizational purpose and mission; (2) its interest in and commitment to the project; (3) the resources provided for the project; (4) the Fellow’s work environment, describing individual or shared work space and support staff; (5) the Fellow’s immediate supervisor and plans for supervision; (6) the supervisor’s experience in the substantive area of the fellowship project; (7) specific plans for the Fellow’s training and professional development during the fellowship year; and (8) whether the organization will provide benefits for the Fellow. The sponsoring organization may also include general materials about its work.