Fellowships for Incoming Students
If you are an incoming student interested in being considered for a Fellowship, please send a one page statement of interest by email to lawadmissions@maine.edu. Priority consideration will be given to those who apply prior to February 1st.
The Susan Calkins Public Interest Fellowship is named for retired Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Susan Calkins. The Susan Calkins Public Interest Fellowship is awarded annually to an incoming first year student at the University of Maine School of Law who demonstrates both academic excellence and a commitment to the pursuit of work in the public interest. In addition to a tuition scholarship, the Calkins Fellow will be granted a summer public interest fellowship during their first summer, academic advising by the Director of the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic (CLAC), a 3 or 6 credit seat in one of the CLAC clinics (provided all pre-requisites are satisfied), invitations to public interest policy meetings, and access to loan repayment funds for qualifying post-graduate employment.
Justice Calkins is an alumna of the University of Maine School of Law. She was formerly the Executive Director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Portland, Maine and a staff attorney there for over ten years. She was appointed to the Maine District Court in 1980, and she was later named the first Chief Judge of that court. She served briefly on the Maine Superior Court, and in 1998 she was appointed by Governor King to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, where she served until 2007. A former clerk noted that Justice Calkins was “both the model of the kind of lawyer that I hoped to be – one who tries to use the law to make people’s lives better – and the kind of judge that I hoped would hear my client’s cases – careful, thoughtful, and conscious of the real-world impact of legal interpretation.” Justice Calkins exemplifies a commitment to work in the public interest.
Fellowships for Current Students
The Fellowships listed below are for current students at the University of Maine School of Law. Unless otherwise noted, applications for these are managed by the Career Services Office.
The Bernstein District Court Fellows Program gives first-year and second-year students at the Law School an opportunity to spend the summer working as clerks for participating Maine State District Court judges and occasionally on special projects for the court system. Up to four full-time or eight part-time fellowships (depending on the availability of funds) are awarded each year on the basis of academic performance, financial need, and demonstrated professionalism. Bernstein Fellows each receive a stipend of $3,000.
The 2019 Fellowship is the inaugural year for The Jackson Laboratory Fellowship. The Fellowship funds a $10,000 stipend for a first year student at the University of Maine School of Law and provides an opportunity for the student to become familiar with the role of in-house counsel and practicing law at a world class life‑science organization. The Jackson Laboratory Fellow will have the opportunity to gain experience in the following areas: life sciences transactions, regulatory issues, immigration matters, and intellectual property. He or she will also have the opportunity to assist with drafting complex agreements, including commercial contracts, licensing agreements, and other collaboration agreements. In addition, The Jackson Laboratory Fellow will participate in events with summer associates from Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, P.A., such as deposition training or attending oral arguments.
The Fellowship is a full‑time position based at JAX’s Bar Harbor, Maine location. The Jackson Laboratory will support the Fellow in their housing search.
Departmental Fellowships for Current Students
The Admissions Fellowship is a scholarship position for a second or third-year student. The student will work an average of 5-10 hours per week during the academic year. It is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
The Admissions Fellow is an integral member of the Admissions Team, assisting and developing recruitment efforts, event planning, and leadership of the Student Ambassador Program.
The Advancement Fellowship, a paid position for a second or third-year student, requires a commitment of 10 to 12 hours per week during the academic year. It is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
The Advancement Fellow can expect to:
- assist with all tasks required to run a successful Annual Fund Campaign,
- help plan a number of regional events for alumni,
- assist with the Alumni/Student mentoring program, and
- assist with efforts to thank and steward our many donors
The Student Services Fellowship, a paid position for a 2L or 3L student, requires a commitment of 8 hours per week during the academic year. It is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
The Fellow assists with several duties, including working with the SBA and other student organizations, organizing events sponsored by the Office of Student Services, helping with the planning and implementation of Orientation, assisting LL.M. and exchange program students, and providing general support to the Office. The overall focus of the position is the Office’s work in student life.
The Fellow will coordinate with Maine Law staff, SBA, and other student organizations to assist with recording and digitizing Maine Law events for archive development in all appropriate platforms: Youtube, Digital Commons, etc. The Fellow will be responsible for live tweeting at events.