THE PASSION AND SKILL TO MAKE A CHANGE
The Weil Legal Innovators Program (WLI) engages incoming law school students in addressing some of the most pressing social and legal challenges in our communities today. Each WLI class is comprised of 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 now open, learn more about how to apply.
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?
Weil Legal Innovators help to drive change within a wide spectrum of organizations – from nonprofits that are fighting racial injustice, wrongful convictions and global climate change, to organizations that are helping to develop the next generation of socially conscious business leaders and social entrepreneurs.
Weil Legal Innovators will have an opportunity to work on initiatives within the following thematic areas:
Environmental Conservation · Gender Equality · Human Rights & Legal Services ·
Policy & Leadership · Social Innovation · Social Services & Community Empowerment
2022-2023 Innovators
AVERY ALLEN
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services / Duke University School of Law
RIMPAL BAJWA
Tahirih Justice Center / University of Michigan Law School
HERBER BANDA-CRUZ
Earthwatch Institute / New York University School of Law
KATE MCNAMARA-MARSLAND
National Women’s Law Center / University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
BRADY MILLER
National Urban League / University of Texas at Austin School of Law
SADIE STATMAN
Human Rights Watch / Harvard Law School
SARA TAKETATSU
Asian Americans Advancing Justice / Harvard Law School
FILMORE THOMAS, IV
Posse Foundation / University of California Berkeley School of Law
ETTA WANG
RFK Compass Program – Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights / Harvard Law School
JACKSON WEIHE
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas / University of Texas at Austin School of Law