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Opportunities
Rural Summer Legal Corps
Rural communities in the U.S. and its territories face a shortage of lawyers, with a large population of the country being forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance. Participate in Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) and help address the access-to-justice crisis for people living in rural areas.
Fellowship Overview & Benefits
- Gain hands-on experience addressing the unique needs of rural communities
- Eight to ten-week summer engagement (300 hours of service)
- Participants receive a $7,000 stipend for their service
- Students have the option to apply for unlimited outside funding through their university or other sources
- Provide direct legal services and conduct client and witness interviews
- Engage in community outreach and education including fact sheet distribution, strategic partnership development, and presentations
- Build capacity at one's host organization through resource development and training sessions
2023 Applications are Closed
Quick Facts
- 45 Rural Summer Legal Corps Student Fellows in the 2023 Class
- 300 hours of service within an eight to ten-week period
-
RSLC provided invaluable practical experience with the training wheels off.
Samantha Beauchamp
2022 RSLC Student Fellow - $7k stipend for completing one’s summer of service
Still have questions? Email us at
[email protected]
How it works...
Winter
1 Check to make sure you’re eligible
All applicants must…
- Be a current law student at an Equal Justice Works member law school, who has completed at least their first year of law school by the start of their summer placement
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card)
- For several placements, possess a valid driver’s license and access to adequate transportation during summer placement
2 View RSLC Host Organizations
From New York to California, organizations nationwide host RSLC Student Fellows
Candidates must provide their top three host organization choices when submitting an application. You may also choose to be considered by additional host organizations outside of your selected locations.
3 Complete your application
Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé and personal statement describing their interest in the program. Once applications close, interviews with host organizations are conducted on a rolling basis in early spring. Applicants are notified of their acceptance about a month after the application closes.
If selected...
Attend a 3-day training and begin your summer of service
All RSLC Student Fellows attend an exciting three-day training in Washington, D.C., before their service begins. This training is made up of a series of workshops and panels, networking opportunities, and the chance to connect with and ask questions of the Legal Services Corporation and Equal Justice Works staff. Fellows receive travel accommodations and lodging for the training, as well as travel arrangements from the training to each student’s host organization.
After the Fellowship
Your summer of service is just the beginning!
Whether you're still in law school or approaching graduation, there are plenty of ways to stay involved! Check out our other opportunities to see how Equal Justice Works can help you grow your public interest career—on campus, after graduation, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
I applied for 2023—when will my application be evaluated?
When does the 2023 program start and end?
Is housing provided during the Fellowship?
Interested in hosting an RSLC Student Fellow?