About
Fellowship opportunities
Summer Law Fellow
Do you have an interest in public service, government, the judiciary, or academia? Are you looking for a multifaceted and experiential learning experience related to government and the courts? If so, join the School of Government Summer Law Fellows Program.
The UNC School of Government educates and advises state and local government officials including judges, legislators, economic development officers, and many others. We’re seeking talented rising 2Ls and 3Ls to be part of our Summer Law Fellows. You’ll help our faculty work on publications and presentations for public officials, see government in action, and have an opportunity to publish and present your own work.
The Summer Law Program provides an opportunity to learn about the School of Government’s mission, government at the state and local levels in North Carolina, and the many organizations and public officials with which we work. Fellows work on legal issues of current interest to School of Government faculty and clients. Substantive areas we address include but are not limited to tax and finance, economic development, land use, community planning, social services, public health, elections, employment, criminal law, and civil law.
Fellows work on a variety of assignments provided by faculty, including research and writing, advising, and observations of School programs and government and court functions. Throughout the summer, Fellows are exposed to the overall work of the School, and in particular, learn about the daily work and responsibilities of faculty members. Fellows may assist with course administration and planning, meeting facilitation, or advising clients depending on the needs of the faculty member. By attending conferences and courses designed for and administered to our clients, Fellows have the opportunity to learn about the needs of public officials, learn directly from our faculty, and observe different types of teaching by faculty members.
It is expected that the Fellows will demonstrate their research, writing, and analytical skills through either a publication of a blog on one of the School’s various blogs serving the State’s public officials, attorneys, and citizens or though some other writing published by the School or by giving a presentation on a discrete topic to faculty.
The School plans to hire two to three Fellows each summer, who will work in the School’s Chapel Hill, NC, offices for an eight week full-time (40-hour per week) and be compensated $2,750 per month for a total of $5,500. A variety of School faculty will provide guidance and supervision during the summer. Each Fellows will also be paired with a faculty mentor.
Law students interested to learn more about the summer law Fellows program should contact one of the School’s faculty recruiting chairs, Sara DePasquale (sara@sog.unc.edu) or Chris McLaughlin (mclaughlin@sog.unc.edu).