Public Interest Law Fellows Program

PILI/Justice Initiative Public Interest Law Fellows Program

Since 1998, the fellowship program at Columbia University School of Law has operated in cooperation with the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI). During the first of a two-year program of (non-degree) study and practical work experience, fellows spend one semester at Columbia University School of Law and undertake two three-month internships with public interest NGOs in the U.S. Fellows return to their home countries after the first year, where they spend at least one further year working on human rights/public interest advocacy on a non-profit basis, such as providing legal services, pursuing strategic litigation, campaigning for reform, and engaging in human rights training/education. Applicants from countries in central and eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Mongolia are eligible.

University: Columbia University, New York, U.S.
No. of fellows: Five in 2003-2005
Partner: Public Interest Law Initiative
Eligible applicants from: Central and eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, Mongolia
Work experience: One year in home country