Building on St. John’s Vincentian mission of serving those in need, as well as the ethical obligation of lawyers to promote social justice, the Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program at St. John's School of Law seeks to encourage and facilitate St. John’s law students’ participation in the delivery of legal services and/or legal advocacy to traditionally underrepresented clients, groups, or interests. Fellowships are awarded to qualified students for full-time summer positions with non-profit organizations and governmental agencies representing traditionally underrepresented clients, groups or interests. For purposes of the Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program, the definition of “public interest” is any entity ― public (i.e. government) or private ― that provides legal assistance and/or legal advocacy for low-income, underserved, or disenfranchised people and communities. While the typical fellowship award is around $5000, the number of fellowships available in a given year and the award amounts are based on available funds. These funds are raised by the Public Interest Committee through events and initiatives, including the annual Public Interest Auction. For more information on the 2013 Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program at St. John’s School of Law, please contact us.