The University of Michigan Law School and the Bergstrom Foundation are sponsoring a Child Welfare Law Summer Fellowship Program where students are brought to Ann Arbor for three days of training (May 23-25, 2011) before they begin their summer work at a child welfare law office. Students who have completed their first year of law school but who have not yet graduated are eligible. Applications are due February 4, 2011.
The primary goal of the summer fellowship program is to improve legal education, practice and policy in the area of child welfare law. The summer fellowship is committed to inspiring law students to pursue careers in this specialty. The three days of interdisciplinary training provide insight into the field and prepare students for their experiences with child welfare offices representing parents, children, social service agencies or child welfare policy organizations. The fellows will learn the basic law of child protection and foster care as well as the interdisciplinary perspectives so important to successful lawyering in this field, including hearing from experts in child development, child sexual abuse, and drug addiction. The fellows will follow a simulated case through the legal process and will have an opportunity to practice their courtroom skills. Many fellows say one of the best things about the training is meeting and forming a network with other like-minded law students from around the country. The Bergstrom Foundation will fund travel expenses for the participants (up to $500.00).
The application form and further information, including photos and bios of past fellows, are also available on our website. Students interested in applying for summer fellowships should send a personal letter, two references, resume and application by February 4, 2011. If you have any further questions, please contact our Training Coordinator, Alicia Lixey (734) 763-6750.
