THE PASSION AND SKILL TO MAKE A CHANGE

The Weil Legal Innovators (WLI) program engages incoming law school students in addressing some of the most pressing social and legal challenges in our communities today. Each WLI class comprises 10 incoming law school students who plan to attend a J.D. program at one of our law school partners. Innovators defer their first year of law school to work at a partner nonprofit organization for a paid public service fellowship, executing a strategic initiative designed to leverage their passion for justice and commitment to public service, while amplifying the impact of the nonprofits and their important missions.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Weil Legal Innovators (WLI) program are now closed. Applications for the 2026-2027 program cycle will open by winter 2025.

WHY BE A WEIL LEGAL INNOVATOR?

Complex business and societal problems require the knowledge and skillset of culturally fluent professionals to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Lawyers with experience across multiple industries and sectors bring transferable skills that help to differentiate them over the course of their professional careers.

The Weil Legal Innovators Program helps rising law students:

Engage in leading social and legal impact initiatives that are moving the needle domestically and internationally

Understand the growing intersection between the public and business sectors

Establish meaningful relationships with influential leaders in the nonprofit and legal industry

Broaden professional skills and obtain a professional advantage before beginning a law school career

HOW DO YOU WANT TO INNOVATE?

Innovators will work with senior staff to help to drive change within a wide spectrum of organizations that are at the forefront of social impact – from nonprofits that are fighting economic inequality, wrongful convictions and global climate change, to organizations that are helping to develop and catalyze the next generation of change leaders.

Weil Legal Innovators will have an opportunity to work on initiatives within the following thematic areas:

Civil Rights · Criminal Justice · Environmental Conservation · Economic & Education Policy ·
Gender Equity · Immigration · Child Welfare · Financial Empowerment