My long-time friend and former EOIR colleague, Peg Taylor, now Adjunct Professor of Law at Maryland Francis Carey School of Law writes:
As you may (or may not) know, ILS runs a fellowship for young diverse lawyers who have an interest in international law. The benefits this fellowship offers include: generous entree to ILS substantive programs and conferences — including an allowance for registration, travel, and lodging; waiver of Section dues; liberal publishing opportunities; and speciality-specific mentorships/sponsorships with experienced attorneys.
ILS is currently accepting applications for the Fellows Program. See attached information/application. It would be great, if you would share this information either on immigrationcourtside or with potentially interested young lawyers or both. Applications are due to Angela Benson, ILS Director of Membership, Meetings, and Marketing – angela.benson@americanbar.org on or before Monday, June 26, 2023.
Thanks so much. Best. Peggy
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2023-2024 ABA International Law Section Diversity Fellowship
About the Fellows Program
The ABA International Law Section (ILS or Section) proudly sponsors a generous Diversity Fellows Program (“Program”). The Program robustly supports the ABA’s policy of active involvement and participation of diverse lawyers in the ABA, the Section, the profession, and the justice system. See ABA Goal III (to promote full and equal participation). The Program is for young barred lawyers (under 36 years old with five years or less of legal experience) who have an interest in international law and come from diverse backgrounds – including diverse races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities/disabilities.
The application period for the term running from September 2023 to August 2024 is now open. Among the opportunities available to the 3-5 selected Fellows will be:
· abundant entrée to ILS substantive programs and conferences – including an allowance for registration, travel, and lodging;
· waiver of Section dues;
· specialty-specific mentorships/sponsorships with experienced attorneys;
· membership in a close circle of Fellows and alumni of the Fellows program;
· appointments to Section leadership positions; and
· liberal publishing opportunities.
Fellows will be assigned to substantive ILS Committees. The Committee Chairs will engage Fellows in all aspects of committee membership, including projects involving policy formulation and program development. The ILS’ Diversity Officer and Membership Officer and their respective Deputies will also work with Fellows, monitoring their progress and providing periodic reports to ILS’ Administration Committee.
Fellowship Eligibility
Successful applicants will demonstrate that they work in the international legal arena and/or that they have a deep interest in international law. They will further show that they are 36 years old or younger and at least one year out of law school. Applicants will also document that they have been admitted to a bar and that their admission took place less than 6 years prior to the date of their Program application. In furtherance of its goal to make the Fellowships available to a diverse group of young lawyers, application reviewers will take information regarding applicants’ race, ethnicity, disabilities (if any), and gender/sexual identities into account. See ABA Goal III.
If an applicant is not a member of the ABA or the Section at the time of application, such applicant will be required to become a dues-paying member of the ABA upon a grant of the Program application. The Section will, however, cover Section dues.
Fellows’ Responsibilities
During their Fellowship, Fellows will be required to produce specific deliverables, as directed by the ILS Diversity Officer. At a minimum, Fellows will: engage in active Committee participation, as the Section requires of all Section Leaders; regularly communicate with their Committee Chair, the Diversity Officer, the Membership Officer, and their Section mentor and complete progress reports.[1] Fellows will be required to sign a Fellowship Agreement with ILS. Should a Fellow fail to comply with the terms of the Fellowship, the Section will automatically stop all support – including but not limited to financial support.
Application Requirements
Applicants for the Section Diversity Fellows Program must submit:
· a cover letter explaining why the Section should consider their application;
· a fully executed application, addressing all the application questions;
· two letters of recommendation; and
· documentation of the requisite bar membership.
Complete applications must be submitted to Angela Benson, ILS Director of Membership, Meetings, and Marketing at angela.benson@americanbar.org. on or before Monday, June 26, 2023.
2023-2024 ABA International Law Section Diversity Fellowship Application
- Applicant Information:
Name:
Firm/Company:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Country:
Email:
Area of Practice:
- Are you an ABA member? Are you a member of any Sections?
Yes ____ No ____
- Are you a member of the Section of International Law?
Yes ___ No ___
- Describe your interest in being a Diversity Fellow of the Section of International Law and how you plan to accomplish your goals and be of service to the Section (Max 500 words).
- Describe your Section of International Law activities including leadership roles, programs that you have organized, Section meetings attended. If you are not a Section member, then describe which committees you hope to join, how that will support the advancement of your career in international law, and how you are planning to achieve that goal through this Fellowship within the Section. (Max 500 words) http://www.americanbar.org/groups/international_law/committees.html
- Describe your leadership and participation roles in other bar associations including state, local, minority or foreign bars and your involvement in international law related activities/practice/etc. (Max 500 words).
7. Please describe what diversity and inclusion and international law initiatives and programs you have been involved in and how, through this Fellowship program, you are planning to reach out to other lawyers of diverse backgrounds and have them involved in the Section of International Law. (Max 500 words).
[1] http://www.americanbar.org/groups/international_law/committees.html
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This is a super NDPA opportunity! Thanks so much to the ILS and ABA for making it available and to Peg for passing it on.
🇺🇸 Due Process Forever!
PWS
05-26-23