As you were applying for summer gigs, there was probably a point where you asked yourself if you want to spend the summer giving back to those in need or making a lot of money so you can get a quick start on your student loan payments. Those either/or quandaries are usually solved by who actually gives you a callback — but every once in a while, you chance upon a program that lets you get the best of both worlds. In comes Davis Polk. Law.com has coverage:
According to Davis Polk’s announcement on Monday, students can select from a number of non-profit, academic, court, government or pro bono entities that give back to the community in which they live. These entities can be ones suggested by Davis Polk or the student’s choosing, as long as they are approved by the firm.
“We are pleased to share that those students who join our 2027 summer class full-time and spend their 2026 1L summer giving back through a legal internship at a nonprofit, in government, or in academia will qualify for a $25,000 payment upon their arrival at the firm in 2027,” the firm wrote in its post.
It is refreshing to see Biglaw firms stepping up to support pro bono work as the federal government does their damnedest to disincentivize representing undeserved communities by promising to kick you off of public service loan forgiveness if you let too much do-gooder run through your system. Hey, this might be the biggest step in Biglaw supporting public service since Skadden nerfed their fellowship program!
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To the hopeful 1Ls: applications are open! Best of luck, and do some good out there.
Davis Polk Offers $25K Student Stipend For Post-1L Work [Law.com]
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Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s . He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who is learning to swim, is interested in critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at [email protected] and by tweet at @WritesForRent.