The legal profession has long been captured by pro-corporate, far-right interests. As a result, we have a legal system built to serve those same interests, rather than the everyday people most in need of justice.

This corporate capture begins as soon as law students arrive on campus; rarely, if ever, do those campuses have well-organized and adequately supported forces pushing back against this capture.

That's why the People's Parity Project is thrilled to be in the third year of building its Leadership Fellows program.

Dedicated organizers on individual law school campuses who are properly identified, trained, and supported can effectively build a legal culture that is pro-people, not pro-corporate. PPP Leadership Fellows are organizing to end the pro-corporate, far-right capture of law schools; making public-interest careers more accessible for students and recent graduates; bringing new ideas about the future of the legal system to their campuses; working to advance pro-people judicial nominees; supporting efforts at the state and local level to ensure workers get a fair shake in the legal system; and so much more.

The PPP Leadership Fellows program is open to rising 2Ls with an anticipated two-year commitment. The fellowship will start in September 2024 and finish in May 2026.

Leadership Fellows are the beneficiaries of significant investment from PPP: they participate in yearly retreats with their fellowship cohort and fellows from other classes, attend a customized quarterly speaker series, receive a dedicated mentor and significant career support, participate in organizing trainings and political education discussions, make connections to like-minded individuals both on and beyond their individual campuses, and are eligible for externship credit and other internship opportunities with PPP.

A significant amount is also asked of Fellows. All Leadership Fellows are expected to dedicate 5–10 hours per week during the academic year (except during finals periods) to leading organizing efforts on their campus and in their communities to end the corporate, far-right capture of the legal profession.

To join the next cohort of Leadership Fellows, please submit this application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 12th. All applicants also need to send a resume to Steve Kennedy, PPP's Organizing & Network Director, at steve@peoplesparity.org.