The Kirkland & Ellis New York City Public Service Fellowships at New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School were established in 1995. Kirkland & Ellis LLP made a gift of $1,000,000 to New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School to provide an outstanding student from each school year the opportunity for a year of post-graduate public service in New York City.
Each year, one Fellow is selected from the graduating class of New York University School of Law and one from the graduating class of Columbia Law School. The Fellowships are intended to meet serious human needs in New York City; the Fellow and sponsoring organization must be based within the five boroughs of New York City and the Fellow’s project must principally and directly benefit New York City residents. Fellows may create and fill a new position within an already-existing organization or pursue an independent project affiliated with a sponsoring organization. The Firm is committed to a broad and inclusive concept of public service.
Fellows are selected for their demonstrated commitment to public interest law and potential to make a contribution to the New York City community. Fellows will be selected without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
The term of the Fellowship is one year. Fellows for the 2025–2026 class will be funded at a salary of $60,000.
Upon completion of the Fellowship year, Fellows will be asked to submit to Kirkland & Ellis LLP a brief letter summarizing what they accomplished during the preceding year, how the fellowship year has impacted their future plans, and their contact information at their next job.
The selection process consists of a written application and interview. Download the application here.
The timetable is as follows:
Application Deadline
February 6, 2025 at 1 pm EST
Interviews Conducted
February 21, 2025
Fellowship offers will be made that day
Fellows Commence Work
September 2025
To apply, please send your application to:
New York University School of Law
Public Interest Law Center
pilc.info@nyu.edu