LAFLA LEIF Fellowship Grant

The LAFLA LEIF Fellowship Program empowers underrepresented law students to pursue public interest careers. Launched in 2021, it provides fellowships to select summer law clerks, addressing inequities in the legal profession. Along with participation in the Summer Law Clerk Program, LEIF fellows engage in weekly meetings and complete a final project. They are eligible for up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement for tuition, fostering a community dedicated to equal justice.

LEIF Program
LAFLA’s LEIF Fellowship Program is designed to engage and empower law students who are historically underrepresented in the legal profession in their pursuit of public interest legal careers.
About the LEIF Program
What is the LEIF Program?
LAFLA awards fellowships to a select number of eligible summer law clerks through the LEIF Program, launched in 2021. LAFLA recognizes social and economic inequity in the educational system and created the program to acknowledge the importance of a legal community that represents our client community.
What is the difference between the Summer Law Clerk Program and the LEIF Program?
In addition to participating in all Summer Law Clerk Program events, trainings, and casework, LEIF fellows must also participate in weekly LEIF meetings and engage in a final summer project.
LEIF fellows will receive up to a total of $10,000 in tax exempt educational reimbursement for payments made for school tuition.

Eligibility

Students who have already accepted a formal offer to join the LAFLA Summer Law Clerk Program;Identify as a member of a group that is historically underrepresented in the practice of law (e.g., first-generation law students, socio-economically disadvantaged, students from underserved communities, persons with disabilities, queer, etc.);Demonstrate a commitment to LAFLA’s mission to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty;Be willing to join and remain a member of the LEIF Program community during and after the summer law clerk program, to connect with future fellows and support the continued growth of the LEIF Program.At this time, LEIF fellowships may be awarded to a student only once. Former LEIF fellows may return to the Summer Law Clerk Program.

Ineligibility

Former LEIF fellows may not be awarded the LEIF fellowship.