Costs and Aid: Fellowship Progam

At Golden Gate University School of Law, we strive to attract the best and brightest students from around the world. We are committed to helping these students succeed and reach their full potential through rigorous academic programs, hands-on practical legal training, and mentors who will guide them through law school and connect them with alumni and practitioners throughout the legal community.

FULL TUITION

To further that commitment, GGU Law has established The Golden Gate University School of Law Fellowship Program. GGU Law Fellowship recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship, which they will retain if they stay in good academic standing. GGU Law Fellows will also get a $5,000 stipend the summer after their 1L year for completing an internship in the area of their fellowship.

 

MENTORING

Most importantly, GGU Law Fellows will be paired with a faculty mentor who will guide them through their time at GGU Law. These mentors will assist the GGU Law Fellows with job placement, gaining real-world experience in their chosen areas of law, and personalized attention that will not only help them succeed in law school, but in their chosen careers after graduation. Fellows will also be matched with an outside lawyer-mentor who will provide additional advice and support with gaining valuable real-world experience in their specialized fields.

 

FELLOWSHIP AREAS

  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Social Justice & Public Interest Law
  • LGBTQ Scholarship & Activism
  • Leadership Through the Law with the Dean

Program Outline

  • Effective fall 2018.
  • A full-tuition Scholarship that students retain as long as they stay in good academic standing.
  • One-time stipend of $5,000 for completing an internship in the area of their fellowship.
  • A faculty & lawyer mentor in the students' legal field of interest.
  • For some of the fellowships, the student must meet additional criteria to continue in the program; see the program descriptions below for more information.

Consequences of Noncompliance: The scholarship is not solely based on grade point average, but is contingent on complying with the program guidelines and activities set out by the faculty mentor/advisor. Students who do not fulfill their responsibilities will first get a warning from their Fellowship Advisor. If the situation escalates, the student could face losing their extra stipend. If the noncompliance rises to a level deemed worthy by the advisor and the dean, the student could then face the loss of their scholarship.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FELLOWSHIP
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor William Gallagher
  • Criteria:
    • Candidates will have academic and/or professional backgrounds in science or technology.
    • Ideal candidates will possess PhDs in chemistry, biology, any engineering specialty, math, and/or Computer Science.
    • BS & MS graduates with science and technology backgrounds are also eligible.
  • Special Fellowship Perks:
    • Faculty mentor will help with job placement in the IP field post-graduation.
    • Fellows will be introduced to 3-5 major law firms in the IP field once enrolled, and will have mentors specifically from those firms.
    • Fellows will have at least one IP Faculty Mentor, plus two Mentors-in-Practice who are currently working in elite IP positions in law firms and tech companies (both alumni and non-alumni).
  • Application Process:
    • No formal application or essay - please email the Law Admissions Office at lawadmit@ggu.edu if you meet the above criteria and would like to be considered.
    • A personal interview will be required for all finalists.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FELLOWSHIP
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Helen Kang
  • Criteria:
    • Candidates will have a proven record of advocating for civil rights, environmental justice, and/or environmental protection, including those who have work experience as scientists, environmental policy advocates, and environmentalists.
  • Special Fellowship Perks:
    • Fellows are expected to have at least 3 experiential opportunities in public interest or government organizations that focus on environmental law during law school, which can include a placement in the Environmental Law and Justice Clinic.
    • Fellows will receive assistance, including networking and mentorship from faculty, in finding externship opportunities in the environmental law field during school, and job placement assistance post-graduation.
    • Mentoring and advising from environmental law faculty and working legal professionals.
  • Application Process:
    • Please compose a one- to two-page statement of your experience with environmental justice, including what you hope to accomplish during your time at GGU Law, and send it to the Law Admissions Office at lawadmit@ggu.edu.
    • A personal interview will be required for all finalists.
SOCIAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP (PUBLIC INTEREST)
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Hina Shah
  • Criteria:
    • J.D. Candidates with a minimum LSAT of 149 and a 3.10 UGPA.
    • Demonstrated commitment to social justice and a strong desire to pursue a legal career in public interest or public service upon graduation.
  • Special Fellowship Perks:
    • Fellows are expected to have 3-5 experiential opportunities in public interest or public sector organizations during law school, which can include a placement in the Women's Employment Rights Clinic or Veteran's Legal Advocacy Center.
    • Fellows will receive assistance, including networking and mentorship from faculty, in finding externship opportunities in the public interest law field during school, and job placement assistance post-graduation.
    • Mentoring and advising from public interest law faculty and working legal professionals.
  • Fellow Responsibility:
    • Fellows are expected to take a substantial leadership role in the public interest community at the Law School.
    • Fellows are expected to work the first three years after graduation in public interest or public service employment.
  • Application Process:
    • Please compose a one- to two-page essay on the following topic: What social justice issues do you care deeply about and why?
    • Please send your completed essay to the Law Admissions Office at lawadmit@ggu.edu.
    • A personal interview will be required for all finalists, either in-person or via Zoom/Skype/etc.
LGBTQ SCHOLAR-ACTIVIST FELLOWSHIP
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Eric C. Christiansen
  • Criteria:
    • J.D. Candidates with a minimum LSAT of 150 and a 3.20 UGPA OR 3+ years related work/volunteer experience in LGBTQ advocacy.
    • Demonstrated commitment to advancement of legal rights and equality of LGBTQ persons.
  • Special Fellowship Perks:
    • Participation in special presentation / lunch / event each semester.
    • BALIF Student Membership and personal introductions to leadership and important networking within the organization.
    • Priority consideration for one of GGU's award-winning, in-house law clinics.
    • Priority consideration for GGU's award-winning Honors Lawyering Program.
    • Assistance, including networking and mentorship from faculty, in finding externship opportunities in LGBTQ advocacy and engagement during school, and job placement assistance post-graduation.
    • Mentoring and advising from law faculty, 3L students, and working legal professionals in the LGBTQ community.
  • Fellow Responsibility:
    • Organize special LGBTQ-oriented law school presentation / lunch / event during 2L year.
    • Mentor new 1L Fellow in 3L year.
    • Maintain Active student membership in BALIF.
  • Application Process:
    • No formal application or essay - please email the Law Admissions Office at lawadmit@ggu.edu if you meet the above criteria and would like to be considered.
    • A personal interview will be required for all finalists, either in-person or via Zoom/Skype/etc.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE LAW DEAN'S FELLOWSHIP
  • Faculty Advisor: Dean Anthony Niedwiecki
  • Criteria:
    • Proven interest in advancement of social justice, equality, education, the law, or other major issues through leadership or activism.
    • J.D. Candidates with a minimum LSAT of 150 and a 3.20 UGPA.
  • Special Fellowship Perks:
    • Connections with nonprofits and organizations in the student's law area of interest, both in the Bay Area and across the nation.
    • Mentorship and invaluable connections in the areas of civil rights, politics, and legal education leadership, which could lead to externship opportunities and jobs post-graduation.
    • Assistance in securing 1L summer internship.
  • Fellow Responsibility:
    • Internship must be for a nonprofit.
    • Fellows must be an active member in the Student Bar Association or in the leadership of an active student organization at GGU Law.
  • Application Process:
    • Please compose a one- to two-page essay on the following topic: What is one thing you have done to make a positive change for your community?
    • Please send your completed essay to the Law Admissions Office at lawadmit@ggu.edu.
    • A personal interview will be required for all finalists, either in-person or via Zoom/Skype/etc.