LAFLA awards fellowships to a select number of eligible summer law clerks through the LEIF Program, launched in 2021. LAFLA recognizes social and economic inequity in the educational system and proposes to increase diversity in legal services. LAFLA also acknowledges the importance of a legal community that represents our client community.

• Students who have already accepted a formal offer to join the LAFLA Summer Law Clerk Program;
• Identify as a member of a group that is historically underrepresented in the practice of law (e.g., first-generation law students, socio-economically disadvantaged, students from underserved communities, persons with disabilities, queer, etc.);
• Demonstrate a commitment to LAFLA’s mission to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty;
• Be willing to join and remain a member of the LEIF Program community during and after the summer law clerk program, to connect with future fellows and support the continued growth of the LEIF Program.
• At this time, LEIF fellowships may be awarded to a student only once. Former LEIF fellows may return to the Summer Law Clerk Program, but may not be awarded the LEIF fellowship.
  

If you find that you do not meet all the qualifications, we highly encourage you to still apply. We recognize that organizations may miss out on strong applicants who screen themselves out of the process because they do not meet every qualification. 

The first step to applying for LEIF is to apply for the LAFLA Summer Law Clerk Program. You can apply online here or through a law student hiring event. For details about the Summer 2025 Law Clerk Program, please visit our Law Students page.

Once you accept an offer to join the Summer Law Clerk Program, you can apply for LEIF by submitting the LEIF Application Form and personal statement.

Again, you must have already accepted an offer to join the Summer Law Clerk Program. Otherwise, your application will not be considered.

The deadline is Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 5:00PM Pacific Time.

When selecting fellows, LAFLA will consider:

• Demonstrated commitment to LAFLA’s mission to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty
• Financial need
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Community service
• Personal and academic achievements
• Bilingual fluency as a plus

Fellows will be selected through the application review process described below to advance to the interview stage.  

The LEIF Review Committee includes LAFLA staff members across the foundation, including the members of LAFLA’s Law Student Recruitment Committee and Race Equity Initiative. Each application will be carefully considered by several members of the LEIF Review Committee.

For 2025, interview questions will be provided beforehand. Selected applicants can then choose a time to interview or provide a video with responses to the interview questions. These will be conducted or reviewed by a LAFLA Director and/or Manager.

In late April, we are planning to invite those selected to interview in early May. Those chosen for the LEIF Program will be notified in May, before the Summer Program begins.

Please consider this timeline carefully if you decide to apply.

In addition to participating in all Summer Law Clerk Program events, trainings, and casework, LEIF fellows must also participate in weekly LEIF meetings and engage in a final summer project.

LEIF fellows will receive up to a total of $10,000 in reimbursements for payments made for school tuition or school loans over the span of two years.

Please note: LEIF Fellows will be required to show proof of payment on tuition or student loans within the last 12 months in order to receive reimbursement. LAFLA cannot consider a list of financial aid received. To ensure that tuition reimbursements are tax exempt under the program, reimbursements are split into multiple payments throughout the summer and the following January. You risk losing funding if you do not participate in the meetings, events, final project, etc.

Please consider these requirements and timeline carefully if you decide to apply.

Yes. We understand that your circumstances may change following submission. Please update us as soon as possible by emailing us at fellowships@lafla.org.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about LAFLA! Please see our mission statement and check out our 90+ year history. We also encourage students to get familiar with our services and workgroups by going to our ‘Get Help’ page.