The Michigan Law Practitioner Fellowships are $40,000 year-long fellowships awarded to eligible JD graduates to provide them with opportunities to begin their career in a public service institution while building their professional network, and continuing the career exploration process.
Fellows are required to work full-time at a nonprofit organization or government agency (federal, state, or local) and expected to participate in professional development and networking programs as well.
Fellows are required to work in organizations that will advance their career goals and provide practical experience. The Office of Career Planning will work with fellowship applicants, in conjunction with our active alumni community, in finding an eligible organization that fits the design and purpose of the program.
The fellowship is particularly valuable, for example, for students whose intended future employer hires only as positions become available, such as in the public interest sector, or requires bar passage prior to the start date. In many instances, graduates continue working with their fellowship organization on a permanent basis
Eligibility
Class of 2026 JD graduates are eligible to apply for the 2026 Fellowship provided the applicant:
- Regularly met with the Office of Career Planning during their 3L year;
- Consistently applied to postgraduate legal employment opportunities, but did not receive an offer for postgraduate legal employment; and
- Has registered to sit for the first bar exam following graduation.
Students who have part-time or short-term (temporary) legal employment, or have other questions about fellowship eligibility should contact [email protected].
Application Process
Beginning May 13, 2026, students may apply for the Fellowship by completing the MLPF Application Form (available in Symplicity Posting #46928). As part of that process, applicants must also provide an updated resume and a short statement (250 words or less) describing the types of opportunities they have applied for during 3L, the efforts invested during 3L in the job search process (including networking efforts), and how the Fellowship will support their near-term career goals. Graduates do not need to have secured a placement to complete the application.
Students interested in working outside the United States must first apply for the Bates Fellowship and should also include information about the status of that application. Please see below for further requirements for working outside of the United States.
Absent an exception, all Application Forms must be submitted by June 1, 2026.
Fellowship Selection Process
Applications are reviewed in the order received and fellowships are awarded based on applicant eligibility and funding availability. In the event that applications exceed funding availability, the prior effort invested by the applicant in the career planning process will also be taken into consideration.
Applicants will be notified by June 8, 2026, whether they have been awarded a Fellowship.
Securing a Placement with a Fellowship Employer
Fellowship recipients must schedule an appointment (via Symplicity) with the Michigan Law Practitioner Fellowship advisor to start the process of identifying and securing a placement with a qualifying employer.
Qualifying employers include non-profit organizations and government agencies (federal, state, or local) where the Fellow will be supervised by a lawyer and the work either (1) requires the graduate to pass a bar, or (2) where a J.D. provides a demonstrable advantage in performing the work, though the work does not itself require bar passage or an active law license. View a non-exhaustive list of qualifying employers.
Following the initial appointment, the MLPF Fellow must reach out to organizations they have identified and tentatively secure a placement. Once a tentative placement is secured, the Fellow must notify the MLPF advisor of their supervisor’s name, title, and email address.
The Law School will request the employer to complete an Employer Verification form. Applicants will be notified when their verification form has been returned and placement has been approved.
Fellows may not change fellowship placements.
Timing for Starting the Fellowship
Fellows should plan on starting their fellowship following the bar exam. A fellowship may begin anytime after the Law School approves the Employer Verification form, but fellowships must start no later than September 1, 2026.
Fellows may not continue on the program if they do not complete the first available bar exam following graduation or otherwise fail to start their fellowship with an approved placement by September 1.
Monthly Disbursements
MLPF Fellows receive monthly disbursements of $3,334 starting at the beginning of the fellowship.
Monthly payments are disbursed on or about the 1st of every month for work to be completed in that month and continue for twelve months. The term of the fellowship cannot be extended by taking time away from a fellowship. In order to receive disbursements for the month, Fellows must (1) complete the Monthly Update Form by the 15th of the preceding month, and (2) have at least one meeting with the MLPF advisor during the preceding month.
The timing of the first payment of the fellowship is tied to the start date and the completion of the Employer Verification form. Delays in completion of the required form may result in a delay in the first payment.
Expectations for Participating Fellows
In addition to sitting for the first bar exam after graduation and then working full-time with an organization, Fellows are expected to dedicate significant effort to professional development, networking, and career planning activities. Because each Fellow has different strengths and areas for improvement, the Fellow, in consultation with the MLPF advisor, will set individualized goals relating to professional development, networking, and career planning.
On a monthly basis, Fellows must (1) submit a Monthly Update Form identifying progress they have made towards their goals, and (2) have at least one meeting with the MLPF advisor. Fellows are expected to timely respond to email communications and make an effort to participate in professional development programs that may be held from time to time.
Failure to actively participate in all facets of the fellowship program or to timely submit required information regarding your program progress may result in amounts owed that will be reduced from future monthly payments. Specifically, failure to submit the Monthly Update Form may result in a reduction of $250 per occurrence and failure to hold a monthly meeting with Jason Cowin may result in a reduction of $1000 per month missed.
Other Considerations
Fellowship funding is considered to be taxable income to JD graduates which will be reported on a tax form. The university will issue a document, Form 1099, which reports non-wage income to graduates who are US citizens and resident aliens, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, and another form, Form 1042S, which reports non-wage income and tax withholding to nonresident aliens (NRAs). The withholding rate for NRAs is 30% unless an applicable treaty provides a lower rate. No withholding is required with the Form 1099.
This information should not be construed as tax advice, in which case, we encourage JD graduates to consult with a tax advisor for more information.
Fellows are not employees of the University. The fellowship program is not considered eligible employment for the Law School’s Income-Based Debt Management Program. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for counseling on your repayment options.
Students interested in receiving Law School funds for a summer or post-graduate position outside the United States must consult with the Office of Career Planning regarding University-required paperwork that must be completed before funds can be released. Further, the University’s International Travel Policy lists University Travel Restricted Destinations, and activities in these destinations are not eligible for University funding. Because the list of Travel Restricted Destinations is subject to change, students should be aware that it is possible that funding is not ensured, and should therefore keep in close contact with OCP about potentially affected destinations.
Fellowship program terms and details, including compensation, and expectations are subject to change from year-to-year.