About the Fellowship
The Fellowship is Ms. JD's program to promote mentoring and professional development to women law students.
Each spring, Ms. JD selects a group of outstanding rising 3L students as Fellowship recipients.
Each Fellow will:
- Receive an invitation and financial support to attend a Ms JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive.
- Be paired with an experienced woman attorney for a mentorship experience.
- Attend monthly Fellowship calls to discuss topics including impostor syndrome, mental wellness, and the bar exam.
- Complete a Fellowship project where they are asked to host an event, workshop, or program on their law school campus.
How to Apply
The process of selecting Ms. JD Fellows is holistic. Fellows are selected based on academic performance, leadership, and dedication to advancing the status of women in the legal profession. The most successful applicants are those that are able to integrate their personal and professional experience to tell a compelling story of why they wish to be involved with Ms. JD.
Before starting your application, please be sure to have the following files available: a copy of your resume, your unofficial law school transcript(s), and a cover letter that answers the following questions: Why would you like to participate in the Ms. JD Fellowship? How have you demonstrated leadership ability, both in and out of law school?
Applications for the 2024-2025 Ms. JD Fellowship are now closed. We will open applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship in Early 2025. Please join the waitlist to be notified when the application is open.
BECOME A MS. JD FELLOW
DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
- Work on a project that will benefit women in the legal profession.
GROW YOUR NETWORK
- Build relationships with current and past Ms. JD Fellows.
- Connect with other like-minded women in law school.
BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
- Ms. JD Fellows receive invitations and financial support to attend a Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive.
- Add a distinguished experience and honor to your resume and on LinkedIn.
Introducing the 2023-2024 Ms. JD Fellowship Cohort!
GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSOR
We are honored to have Skadden return as a sponsor for the 2023-2024 Ms. JD Fellowship program.
From its inception in 1948, Skadden has sought to provide clients with a full range of legal services. The firm has built a range of complementary practices, including litigation, tax, and antitrust. Skadden has offices in over 20 locations around the world.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a rising 3L student (dual degree candidates entering their last year may also apply).
- Chronological age is not a consideration.
- Be a member of the Ms. JD Online Community (Join here).
- Be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
2024-2025 SCHEDULE
The Fellowship Application will close on April 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm (PT). Finalists for the Ms. JD Fellowship will be asked to participate in virtual Fellowship interviews that will take place from May 7-10th.
The 2024-2025 Ms. JD Fellows will be selected and notified by May 25, 2024.
Fellowship Chats
Once a month, Ms. JD Fellows and Mentors will join to discuss topics including impostor syndrome, mental wellness, and the bar exam.
In-Person Events
Ms. JD Fellows are invited to the attend the NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive in March of 2024.
Ms. JD Fellowship Projects
Ms. JD Fellows are required to complete a Ms. JD Fellowship Project where they are asked to host an event, workshop, or program on their law school campus.
FAQs
What is the Ms. JD Fellowship?
In 2010, Ms. JD founded a project in partnership with the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, the Ms. JD Fellowship. The Ms. JD Fellowship as created in order to promote mentoring and professional development for future female attorneys.
What does the Ms. JD Fellowship entail?
Each spring, Ms. JD selects a group of outstanding rising 3L students (dual degree candidates entering their last year may also apply) as Fellowship recipients. The Fellowship continues until May of 2025, during which:
- The Fellows receive invitations and financial support to attend Ms. JD’s NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive in March of 2025;
- Each Fellow is paired with a mentor and will meet regularly with their mentor to develop a long lasting relationship.
- Fellows will complete a project where they are asked to host an event, workshop, or program on their law school campus.
- The Fellows will meet regularly for Fellowship Chats where they will hear from guest speakers on topics such as impostor syndrome, the bar exam, and mentoring.
How are Ms. JD Fellows selected?
The process of selecting Ms. JD Fellows is holistic. Fellows are selected based on academic performance, leadership, and dedication to advancing the status of women in the legal profession. The most successful applicants are those that are able to integrate their personal and professional experience to tell a compelling story of why they wish to be involved with Ms. JD.
I am not a second-year law school student ("2L" or rising 3L). Can I still apply to the Fellowship?
First of all, thank you for your interest in the Ms. JD Fellowship! The Ms. JD Fellowship is only open to rising 3Ls. If you are a 1L, we strongly encourage you to apply next year. We also accept applications from part-time law students or law students who are part of a joint degree program on a case-by-case basis. If you are a part-time or joint-degree law student who is interested in the Fellowship, please email day@ms-jd.org to inquire about your eligibility.
Can you add some information to my application after I have submitted it?
No, we cannot alter or add information to your application form, manuscript, or statement of plans once we have received it (the only exception is if your or your recommender’s contact information changes). Please make sure your application is ready and complete before you submit it. Please do not contact us to let us know one of your manuscripts has been published or received an award; this information will not have any bearing on our decision.
How are applicants selected?
Applications are read thoroughly by a committee. The committee members then score applicants based on a rubric and then discuss the most promising applicants they consider the most suitable for the Ms. JD Fellowship program.
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