Description

Fellowship Details
Application period: January 20 - February 22, 2026
Fellowship duration: 12 weeks
The fellow will receive a $12,000 stipend for the summer
One law student from an ABA-accredited law school will be selected annually to receive the Melanie Kushnir Access to Justice Fellowship. The Melanie Kushnir Access to Justice Fellowship selection committee is comprised of members of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada staff, board, and Pro Bono Advisory Council; members of the community working on access to justice issues; and Melanie’s family. The fellow is selected based on their demonstrated commitment to public interest law and the capacity to carry on Melanie’s work in assisting those unable to afford the civil legal help they need.

The fellowship is full-time during the summer and begins in May or at the end of the law school academic year. The fellow will receive a $12,000 stipend for their summer work at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. While the full-time employment of the fellow will come to a close at the end of summer, the fellowship officially concludes at the end of the year.

The fellow will work as part of the Pro Bono Project, assisting with access to justice projects. The fellow will additionally have the opportunity to participate in the following activities:

Learn about and shadow every department at Legal Aid Center;
Attend the State Bar of Nevada Annual Conference;
Receive judicial mentorship and/or observe court, organized by the Eighth Judicial District Court;
Attend Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice meetings; and
Attend the Annual Pro Bono Award Luncheon in December.
Upon conclusion of the fellowship, the fellow will be asked to participate as an ambassador in publicizing the availability of the fellowship during the following year. The fellow may also be asked to serve as a mentor to the fellow selected in the following year.

Application Requirements 
A cover letter explaining why you are applying for this experience;
A legal writing sample, limited to 10 pages; 
A resume (please include any paid or volunteer work with vulnerable populations, along with non-legal employment experience); and
Your law school transcript.
Submit all materials in a single packet (except letters of recommendation being sent directly) to careers@lacsn.org   by midnight PST on February 22, 2026. 

Additional Information   
If you have questions, you may reach out to Christine Smith, Director of Community Initiatives and Outreach, at csmith@lacsn.org  or 702-386-1424.