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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.
Each summer, Equal Justice Works partners with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to support dedicated law students who want to serve rural communities, as part of the Rural Summer Legal Corps. This year, 50 Student Fellows will spend eight to ten weeks at LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations developing valuable skills and gaining hands-on experience.
Student Fellows tackle a number of results-driven community projects including responding to disaster-related legal issues; addressing affordable housing and evictions; and providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence.
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
Hey law students! Stay in the loop
Applications will open in January 2027
Quick Facts
- 50 Rural Summer Legal Corps Student Fellows in the 2025 Class
- 300 hours of service within an eight to ten-week period
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My time as a RSLC Fellow has been one of the most rewarding and impactful experiences of my legal education.
Esmeralda Negrete
2025 RSLC Student Fellow - $7k stipend for completing one’s summer of service
Still have questions? Email us at
[email protected]
How it works...
You will choose your top three host site locations based on the list of host site projects before submitting your application. Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé and a personal statement describing the candidate's interest in the program.
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 will be required to provide their top three host organization choices. The full list of host organizations is available here.
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 two-day training and begin your summer of service
All RSLC Student Fellows attend a virtual two-day training before their service begins. This includes 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.
2025 highlights
In 2025, we expanded opportunities for law students to launch their careers through the Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC). Funded by the Legal Services Corporation, 50 RSLC Student Fellows from 36 law schools served with 44 legal aid organizations to serve “legal deserts,” rural communities that are isolated with little to no access to legal aid. Together, these Student Fellows served 15,622 hours and assisted 2,339 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will my application be evaluated?
When does the 2027 program start and end?
Is housing provided during the Fellowship?
Host a RSLC Fellow!