G. Rollie White Trust Fellowship in Public Interest Law Grant

The G. Rollie White Trust Fellowship promotes access to justice by funding a recent Texas Law graduate or judicial clerk to work with a public interest legal organization. This one-year fellowship, supported by the William Wayne Justice Center, encourages innovative projects aimed at assisting underrepresented communities. Candidates must identify a host organization and outline their proposed work, ensuring impactful legal service delivery. This fellowship exemplifies a commitment to public interest law and community support.

William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law
The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law was created in 2004 when the law school joined with Judge William Wayne Justice’s former law clerks and many admirers to establish it in his honor. The Justice Center is a comprehensive resource for students, faculty, alumni, and the community.
The Justice Center inspires, equips, and empowers Texas Law students to serve the public interest.
Education: Teaching students about public interest lawyering and the need to increase access to justicePro Bono: Creating opportunities for the Texas Law community to gain legal skills and serve the public through the Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono ProgramProgramming: Informing students, faculty, staff, attorneys, and the community about public interest legal issuesCommunity Building: Fostering a community of support for students and alumni engaged in public serviceFinancial Support: Awarding scholarships and fellowships to ensure that public interest law practice is accessible to and sustainable for all
The G. Rollie White Trust generously supports this fellowship to increase access to justice in the United States. The fellowship funds an outstanding graduating student or judicial clerk to work with a public interest legal organization on behalf of underrepresented individuals or groups.
In Spring 2026, the G. Rollie White Trust Fellowship will support a one-year (12-month, full-time) post-graduate fellowship. This opportunity allows a recent graduate to work with an existing public interest legal organization to provide legal services to underrepresented individuals or groups.
Before applying, candidates must identify a potential host organization and collaborate with them to develop a description of the proposed work, training, and supervision. The proposed work should be an identified project, either a new initiative or an ongoing project of the organization. The host must commit to supporting the project and providing appropriate guidance throughout the fellowship. Students with questions about potential host organizations or project ideas are encouraged to contact Nicole Simmons in the Justice Center or Mary Murphy in the Career Services Office.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open only to Texas Law alumni. Applicants must be third-year students or recent graduates who will complete a judicial clerkship by Fall 2026.