International & Comparative Law & Legal Practice Fellowship

The ICLLP fellowship program is for students interested in international public interest practice and advocacy in the fields of human rights, environmental justice, international criminal law, among other areas.

About the ICLLP Fellowship Program

The ICLLP fellowship program is for second-year JD day students (and second- and third-year evening JD students) interested in international public interest practice and advocacy in the fields of human rights, environmental justice, international criminal law, among other areas. More specifically, the Fellowship Program offers students the opportunity to undertake summer fieldwork externing for an organization engaged in public interest law and advocacy. Prior to beginning their externship, students are required to complete an international law course related to the subject matter of their externship.

All program externships and associated courses are for academic credit. Fellows also normally receive a financial award to support their summer externships.

Fellowship Fieldwork

Students extern at a diverse range of field sites for which they have applied and been selected. ICLLP fellows have worked at non-governmental organizations in South Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Sweden, among other countries, as well as intergovernmental organizations and international tribunals. Fellows commit to working as an extern full time for generally 6-12 weeks during the summer for the host organization for three academic credits. All Fellowship externships are for academic credit (pass/fail).

Multilateral, governmental and nongovernmental organizations around the world which Suffolk Law School has developed relationships with and to which students may apply for summer externship placements include:

Fellowship Financial Support

Fellows normally receive a financial award to support their participation in the program with the possibility of supplemental funding. Students may also apply for financial aid to support summer activities.

Note: Often pursuing academic credit in the summer (as students do in the ICLLP program) may have particular financial benefits for some students (specifically, significant reductions in tuition costs) if students plan ahead. This is because the academic credits pursued over the summer may allow students to become a part-time student in their final semester of law school whereby students pay tuition on a per credit basis. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid Office and Dean Lorraine Cove to see if the potential financial benefits (i.e., reduced tuition costs) may be applicable to their circumstances and to learn further details.

How to Apply

Application deadlines vary depending on the placement organization. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with Instructor Mary Sawicki prior to February in order to discuss your areas of interest and externship options.