Public Interest Bar Fellowship
Our fellowship provides paid legal aid experience between graduation and bar results.
Run by Legal Aid Association of California
For New graduates of California law schools who have not yet taken, or had a chance to take, the California bar exam
Next step Explore hosts and prepare your application
What it is
Bridge fellowship, before the bar. A $16,000 stipend paid in three installments, and $1,500 to the host organization toward onboarding, State Bar registration, training and supervision.
400 hours over roughly six months, May or June through November or December.
Program Dates
2026 applications are closed. Explore hosts and prepare for the next application cycle.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | Information session 3pm via Zoom |
| March 31, 2026 | Application questions posted A PDF of the questions, so you can draft answers before the form opens |
| April 3, 2026 | Applications open Reviewed on a rolling basis; earlier is better |
| April 7, 2026 | Solo matching and interviews begin Runs to April 25 |
| April 12, 2026 | Joint applications encouraged by this date The number of joint applicants approved determines how many solo applications can be funded |
| April 15, 2026 | Applications close 5:00 pm |
| April 27, 2026 | Fellows notified Solo matching and interviews run April 7–25 |
| May 8, 2026 | Paperwork due |
| May 15, 2026 | Pre-bar requirements window opens Limited pre-bar tasks, about eight hours, due by June 30 |
| May 26, 2026 | First Fellow learning session May 26–29, mandatory |
| June 30, 2026 | Pre-bar requirements due |
| July, 2026 | Bar exam blackout period Fellows do not work during July |
| August 17, 2026 | Fellows return to their host organizations |
| December, 2026 | Fellows celebration Placements complete October through December |
Who can apply
- May 2026 graduates receiving a JD, LLM or joint degree from an ABA-accredited law school in California may apply on their own or jointly with a host organization.
- May 2026 graduates from California-accredited law schools may apply through the joint application process, having already matched with an eligible host organization.
- Open only to graduates who have not yet taken the California Bar Exam and have not previously had the opportunity to take one.
What a host organization needs
- 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship.
- A legal agency, or a social services agency with a legal department, providing direct legal services, litigation, policy advocacy, or community lawyering.
- Based, or with a satellite office, in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma or Yolo county. Organizations serving primarily rural Californians in other counties are also eligible.
- May apply to host up to three fellows.
Our 2026 Fellows
22 people at 20 organizations, from 7 California law schools.
- Ashley Menguito Dependency Legal Services
- Brian Recinos Oasis Legal Services
- Connor Urschel Bay Area Legal Aid
- Emily Pedro Open Door Legal
- Ivan Villegas UFW Foundation
- Jacob Lusk East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
- Jaime Gochez Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS)
- Jennifer Moller Legal Access Alameda
- John Swindle Legal Link
- Keyera Mackabee California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA)
- Kiana Ghorbanzadeh Justice At Last
- Kiriana Zavala Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE)
- Michael Alloggiamento Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA)
- Michele Chadwick Homeless Action Center (HAC)
- Nicole Larson California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA)
- Priscilla Ledezma Legal Aid of Sonoma County
- Ruth Hernandez Family Violence Law Center (FVLC)
- Sarah Navarro For The People
- Selin Sindel LGBT Asylum Project
- Vanessa Mendivil Justice and Diversity Center (JDC)
- Vanessa Peterson Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS)
- Victor Anzaldo Canal Alliance