Stein Scholars in Public Interest Law and Ethics
The Stein Scholars Program is a multifaceted, student-driven program designed to prepare students for public interest careers while building a diverse community of social justice advocates at Fordham Law and beyond.
Founded in 1992 by the Stein Center for Law and Ethics and administered by the Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC), this program spans each student's entire law school career and combines academic coursework and student-organized discussions with hands-on experience to encourage students to engage with pressing social justice issues and find pathways to meaningful and rewarding legal careers.
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The Stein Scholars Program combines academic coursework and student-organized discussions with experiential learning to foster a community of law students committed to public service and to prepare students for public interest legal careers. The academic component provides participating students with a firm grounding in social justice advocacy and legal ethics, and the experiential component gives students the opportunity to work in public interest law settings through summer externships. These externships are supported by stipends available through the generous support of the Stein family.
The program also matches students with upper-class Stein Scholars, faculty, and alumni as mentors who provide guidance and opportunities to learn more about what it means to practice as a public interest lawyer.
Academic Component
The academic requirements of the program include:
- 1L Stein Summer Externship Seminar
- Fundamental Lawyering Skills
- Clinic
- One (1) of four (4) pre-approved professional responsibility courses
- Two (2) courses from the pre-approved Stein Scholars Critical Lens course list (e.g., Critical Race Theory; Disability Law; Race, Gender, and Crime; Movement Lawyering; etc.)
Experiential Component
1L Summer Externship
Students must complete a summer externship during their 1L summer at a qualifying public interest organization or government agency. Stein Scholars have externed in a wide variety of public interest settings in New York City, New York State, nationally, and internationally.
Stein Time Attendance and Participation
Scholars must also attend weekly Stein Time meetings and participate in Stein-centered working groups and/or events.
Program Benefits
In addition to the tailored academic and practical public interest experience, becoming a Stein Scholar includes additional financial and honorary benefits.
Summer Stipend and Tuition Waiver
Students who complete their 1L summer externship at a qualifying public interest organization will receive guaranteed summer funding. Students will also have their tuition waived for the required 1L summer externship seminar.
Upper-division Steins may also qualify for subsequent summer funding if they complete summer internships with qualifying public interest organizations during their 2L summer.
Transcript Notation
Those who successfully complete the Program may receive a transcript notation indicating their achievement as a Stein Scholar.
Bar Fund Grant
Eligible graduating students may also apply for a Stein Bar Fund grant to help cover bar-related expenses (grant amounts vary annually).
- 1L Stein Summer Externship Seminar
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Applications are currently closed for the academic year. Applications will re-open for incoming 1L JD students during the summer of 2025.
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The Stein Council is the administrative/governing body of the Stein Program. Scholars elect two (2) representatives from their respective classes to sit on the Stein Council. The Council meets regularly throughout the year and plays a large role in the administration of the Stein Scholars Program, including annual programming and mentorship.
Many Stein Scholars regard the program as one of their most rewarding law school experiences because it provides them with a supportive community of students, faculty, administrators, and alumni committed to public service as well as opportunities to explore different areas of public interest practice.
