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 financial support to attend a Ms. JD NWLSO Law Student Leadership Academy.
- Be paired with an experienced woman attorney for a mentorship experience.
- Attend monthly Fellowship calls to discuss topics such as impostor syndrome, mental wellness, and the bar exam.
- Complete a Fellowship project by contributing an article or other submission for the Pre-Law Magazine.
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 2025-2026 Fellowship are now open. All applications are due by 11:59PM ET on Sunday, May 4th. Finalists will be invited for an interview by May 12th, and all applicants will be notified of their status by June 1st.
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 financial support to attend a Ms. JD NWLSO Law Student Leadership Academy.
- Add a distinguished experience and honor to your resume and on LinkedIn.
Meet the 2024-2025 Ms. JD Fellowship Cohort!
2025-2026 SCHEDULE
The Fellowship Application will close on May 4, 2025 at 11:59 pm (ET). Finalists for the Ms. JD Fellowship will be asked to participate in virtual Fellowship interviews that will take place from May 12-16th.
The 2025-2026 Ms. JD Fellows will be selected and notified by May 30, 2024.
Fellowship Chats
Once a month, Ms. JD Fellows and Mentors will join to discuss career and leadership topics. Sessions take place virtually on Wednesdays at 8pm ET.
In-Person Events
Ms. JD Fellows are expected to the attend the NWLSO Law Student Leadership Academy in March of 2026.
Ms. JD Fellowship Projects
Ms. JD Fellows are required to complete a Ms. JD Fellowship Project. They will create an article or another contribution for the Ms. JD Pre-Law Magazine.
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 was 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 2026, during which:
- The Fellows receive financial support for and are expected to attend Ms. JD’s NWLSO Law Student Leadership Academy in March of 2026.
- Each Fellow is paired with a mentor and will meet regularly with their mentor to develop a long lasting relationship.
- Fellows will complete an article or other submission for the Ms. JD Pre-Law Magazine.
- The Fellows will meet regularly for virtual Fellowship Chats where they will hear from guest speakers on career and leadership topics. Fellowship meetings take place on Wednesdays at 8pm ET.
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 programsassistant@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 once we have received it (the only exception is if your 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. Finalists will complete a virtual interview with Ms. JD staff.
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