Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA), comprised of the Ohio Poverty Law Center, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, and the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, is pleased to make the OSLSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship available. The Fellowship program enables students entering or enrolled in law school to receive funding to work during the Fall, Spring, and/or Summer for OSLSA. We are currently accepting applications for the Spring 2023 term.

To enhance the professional opportunities available to racial and ethnic minorities, and other disadvantaged groups, this fellowship aims to demonstrate the commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our organization by providing financial support and legal experience to underrepresented law students as they begin their legal careers.

According to the American Bar Association, nearly all people of color are underrepresented in the legal profession compared with their presence in the U.S. Population. OSLSA is committed to increasing the number of racial and ethnic minority professionals in the legal field and advancing the understanding of the life experiences of those minority communities. We will remain true to this philosophy while acknowledging the barriers that many different people face.

To that end, OSLSA encourages students from diverse backgrounds to become Legal Aid lawyers and join Ohio Legal Aid organizations, with the goal that over time these organizations, including OSLSA, will better reflect the diversity of the population these organizations serve.

The Fellowship:

The Spring 2023 OSLSA DEI Fellowship term will be based on the school year semester and run between January and May. The Fellowship anticipates between 80 – 200 hours worked over the 10-week period with virtual components as well as hybrid work flexibility. The Fellowship is funded at a rate of $20 per hour.

Fellows will be assigned a mentor from OSLSA. This mentor will not only provide support and guidance within OSLSA but will also support and create opportunities to engage with the greater legal community.

Additionally, the Fellowship offers a direct connection to the Executive Director and Board Members. The fellow will have the special opportunity to connect with the program's Executive Director and select Board Members to build their legal network.

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  Submit Your Completed Application by Monday January 9, 2023 via Paylocity

Application Instructions:

Please submit a resume, letter of interest and references.

The letter of interest should be 500 words or less and the subject for the letter is at your discretion. However, we strongly encourage you to select one, or a combination, of the following topics in your letter: telling us your story, the talents you would bring to the legal profession, what barriers are you facing, and/or why you should be selected as a fellow.

Please also include your anticipated date of law school graduation and if you choose, your race and ethnicity.