Program Overview

Introduction to the Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellows Program

The Temple University Beasley School of Law is committed to promoting public interest law and providing a community where students can develop their skills and knowledge in this area. The Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellows Program is a key part of this commitment, offering outstanding students the opportunity to pursue a career in public interest law.

History of the Program

The Rubin Program for public interest scholars was launched in 2000, thanks to a generous gift from Leonard Rubin, a graduate of the Law School. In 2006, the program was renamed in honor of Stefan Presser, a noted public interest attorney and respected member of Temple's adjunct faculty.

The Program

Under the supervision of a faculty director and with assistance from the Director of Public Interest Programs, each Rubin-Presser Fellow will be matched with a faculty mentor who has expertise in an area of public interest law matching the student's area of interest. The Temple faculty is an outstanding group of teachers and scholars whose areas of interest include:

• Environmental law
• Gun control
• Consumer protection
• Immigration
• Education law
• International human rights
• Civil poverty law
• Employment discrimination
• Domestic violence
• Death penalty litigation

Each Fellow will work with the faculty mentor and the Director of Public Interest Programs to develop an individualized program of academic work, hands-on legal experience, and extra-curricular activities in the Fellow's area of interest. Fellows will be expected to complete at least one upper-level writing course and one upper-level skills course on topics that contribute to their development as public interest lawyers.

Career Opportunities

Fellows will be expected to secure at least one summer internship in a public interest setting, and will be assisted in their efforts by the Law School's Office of Public Interest Programs. Summer work study matching funds will be provided by the Law School for Fellows who qualify for work study funding, allowing Fellows to earn up to $5,250 each summer. In any summer in which they are pursuing a public interest internship, Fellows will be given an additional $1000 stipend.

Funding

Fellowship applicants will be eligible for scholarship funding and will be evaluated based on their applications, as well as any previously awarded scholarships. One of the Program's many goals is to offset the cost of obtaining a law degree for future public interest lawyers. It is expected that Fellows will hold a public interest job for the first three years after graduation. Fellows who enter a career other than public interest during the first three years out of law school incur a moral obligation to repay all or a portion of the funding received from the Program.

Application Process

The Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellowship Program is highly selective and seeks law students of exceptional ability. To apply, students must have already received an offer of admission for the fall entering class. Both day and evening division students are eligible to apply. A selection committee comprised of faculty, administrators, and current Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellows will review all applications and name the Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellows.

To apply, students must submit a statement addressing the following:

• List and describe public interest activities and the length of service of each activity
• Describe how they plan to shape their public interest career and their commitment to public service
• Include any additional information that would assist the selection committee in making their decision
• Include a resume with their materials

The statement should be double-spaced, and although there is no page limit, students should try to keep their response to no more than two to three pages, not including their resume.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the fall entering class is April 4, 2025. All applicants will be notified via email prior to the April 15th deposit deadline.