Columbia Law School’s Paralegal Pathways Initiative: Applications Now Open for Spring 2025

The Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) at Columbia Law School is a 12-week training program designed to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition into meaningful careers within the legal field. Through skills-based legal training and professional mentorship, PPI empowers participants to develop valuable career and interview skills. Applications are now open for the upcoming Spring 2025 class, and PPI wants to extend this opportunity to as many potential applicants as possible.

Application Requirements: Interested individuals should submit an application online through this link. The application package includes:

  • Resume 
  • Personal statement (500 words)
  • Response to a writing prompt (350-450 words) 
  • Two references 
  • [Optional] Additional materials/information

PPI encourages applications from individuals from marginalized communities, including those based on race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Ability to commute to New York City
  • Have been formerly incarcerated and at least one year post-release
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in the legal field
  • Commit to attending an in-person two-hour class one night a week for 12 weeks, and additional programming and workshops
  • Commit to contributing to a collaborative learning environment
  • Complete an interview

Application Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024 

Contact Information: For more information, contact the PPI team at [email protected] or follow @paralegalpathways_cls on Instagram. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in applying.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Spring 2025 Federal Judicial Internships Available with Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

The Honorable Dora L. Irizarry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, is accepting applications for Spring 2025 internships.

Qualifications: 

• Must be a rising second or third year law student. 

• Must have good grades. 

• Must have good research, writing, and analytical skills, although participation in Law Review or a Journal is not a prerequisite.  

• Military and/or other life/career experience is a plus. 

• Must be vaccinated fully against COVID-19 (including a booster shot). 

Interested law students should forward their application package in PDF format as a single document via email to [email protected].

Application package must include:

• One-page cover letter briefly describing why you are interested in a legal career and why you are interested in an internship with Judge  Irizarry specifically.

• Resume.

• Official law school transcript.  

• One recent writing sample no longer than 10 pages, double spaced. Journal or research articles will not be accepted.  

• Two to three letters of recommendation. 

The deadline for receipt of materials is November 25, 2024. 

Please note that, while these are not paid internships, the Judge will participate in any appropriate sponsored program that provides academic credit or stipends for interns.  

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Judge Irizarry’s chambers at 718-613-2150.