If you’re a law graduate aiming to build a career in justice or human rights, Columbia Law School is offering two exciting fellowship opportunities for 2025–2026 that can launch you into the world of impactful legal advocacy. These fellowships are open to eligible Columbia Law School graduates and offer both financial support and a chance to work with top-tier organizations in the U.S. and beyond.
Fellowship Opportunities Available at Columbia Law School
1# Columbia Justice Fellowship (2026)
This is a two (02) years fully funded fellowship for up to three (03) J.D. graduates from the Columbia Law School Class of 2026. Fellows will be placed with leading litigation organizations to work on real-world legal cases aimed at promoting justice.
Partner Organizations (2026–2028):
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- New York Civil Liberties Union
Fellows will get to work on high-impact litigation and legal advocacy efforts that address critical issues like reproductive rights, environmental justice, and civil liberties.
Eligibility: Only for Columbia Law School J.D. Class of 2026
Duration: 2 years.
2# David W. Leebron Human Rights Fellowship (2026)
Named after Columbia Law School’s former dean, this fellowship supports one (01) year of full-time work in the field of human rights, either in the U.S. or abroad. It’s a unique opportunity to gain experience in human rights law, whether you aim to work in academia, public service, or legal practice.
Work Areas May Include:
- Governmental and intergovernmental bodies
- NGOs and human rights organizations
- Legal firms specializing in human rights law
Eligibility: Open to Columbia Law School J.D. and LL.M. Classes of 2026, and certain other graduates.
Duration: 1 year
Note: Full application details for 2026 will be available soon but will closely follow the 2025 version.
Apply: https://www.law.columbia.edu/careers/public-interest/postgraduate-fellowships/columbia-fellowships.
Application Deadlines
- Columbia Justice Fellowship: October 15, 2025
- David W. Leebron Human Rights Fellowship: February 22, 2026.