LGBT Legal Issues Summer Grant
Recognizing that the movement for LGBT recognition and inclusion is a casebook study in contemporary social justice law, the Center for Social Justice and Public Service offers a summer grant for a law student interested in working in this area of law. The applicant should describe the nature of the intended work and how it might impact civil rights for LGBT members of society. Previous projects have ranged from domestic relations to transgender rights to traditional impact work at an LGBT nonprofit.
Eligibility
Santa Clara law students who have completed at least one year of full-time or part-time study by the start of the summer fellowship are eligible for grants. Applicants must arrange a full-time summer law position with an organization that does legal work on LGBT issues. Students who receive academic credit for a summer job are not eligible to receive a grant.
Selection Process and Criteria
Applicants must submit their completed applications through the on-line application form. Grantees will be honored at the Public Interest and Social Justice Law Celebration and Graduation Ceremony in May. Grantees are required to submit a brief report at the conclusion of their work.
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Applicants should show a demonstrated commitment to and interest in the rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender individuals and people living with HIV, regardless of their sexual orientation. The student need not demonstrate that he or she ultimately will pursue a career working on LGBT issues but should provide evidence that he or she is giving serious consideration to such work.
- Developing ability and strength in working with legal problems and materials. This criterion may be met in part by indications of successful academic performance in law school courses, but it also may be demonstrated through other types of successful involvement in legal projects.
- Additional consideration will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Applications must include the following attachments:
- A letter from an employer confirming a summer job offer for at least 40 hours per week for at least ten weeks. (This letter need not be included with the initial application, but must be provided before the grant money is distributed.)
- A resume.
- A personal statement explaining (1) the work or project for which the student proposes to use this fellowship; (2) how the work will develop the student’s legal skills, (3) how the work will further the student’s professional interests and goals, and (4) the student’s commitment to working on LGBT legal issues.
- Any available documentation of the student’s ability and strength in working with legal problems and materials.
- Optional: A Statement of financial need.
Prior LGBT Legal Issues Summer Grant Recipients
2019 – Jared Renteria, SAGE (Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders), New York, NY – policy and advocacy work
2018 – Anya Treyzon, SAGE, New York, NY
2017 – Daniel Douglas, SAGE, New York, NY
