Texas Law Public Service Endowment Fellowship

The Texas Law Public Service Endowment Fellowship funds an outstanding graduating student or judicial clerk to work on behalf of low-income individuals or groups at a legal non-profit organization or government agency. The fellowship is generously supported by Julia Penny Clark and William C. Bryson. 

Application Information

Applications are due by noon on Friday, January 31, 2025. The selection committee will interview finalists in February.

Spring 2025 application information 

In spring 2025, the Texas Law Public Service Endowment Fellowship will fund a 12-month, full-time postgraduate fellowship position with a non-profit organization or government agency providing legal services to low-income individuals or groups.  

The fellow will receive $75,000. The sponsoring organization must be a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a local, state, or federal governmental agency in the United States. The sponsoring organization is expected to supply and fund the benefits that a fellow would ordinarily receive as a new employee. If the regular salary of a comparable position at the sponsoring organization exceeds $75,000, the sponsoring organization is encouraged to commit to paying the difference. The fellow must be supervised by a licensed attorney. The fellow and sponsoring organization will sign agreements regarding their fellowship obligations. 

Before applying, applicants identify a potential sponsoring organization and collaborate with the organization to develop a description of the proposed work, training, and supervision. The proposed work should be an identified project, either a new initiative or an ongoing project of the sponsoring organization. Organizations must provide support for the project and appropriate training and supervision. Students with questions about potential sponsoring organizations or projects are welcome to contact Mary Murphy in the Career Services Office. 

The fellowship is available only to Texas Law alumni. Only third-year students or recent graduates who will complete a judicial clerkship by the fall of 2025 may apply. The fellow will be chosen by a faculty committee based on the applicant’s proposed project, commitment to public service, and the demonstrated ability of the applicant and the sponsoring organization to achieve the project’s goals. 

Preferences: 

Preference may be given to applicants whose educational debt for law school will exceed $80,000.