Postgraduate fellowships are a primary launch pad for graduating 3Ls and LL.M. students to enter the public international law and human rights job markets. Many postgraduate fellowships exist but not all come with funding availability.

Post-Graduate Human Rights Employment

All Fordham Law School students interested in exploring careers in public international law and human rights should explore the possibilities available via postgraduate fellowships, including those periodically funded by Fordham Law School and the Leitner Center, as well as externally funded organization-based fellowships and project-based fellowships. Students should consider speaking setting up a one-on-one career counseling session with the Leitner Center team in order to identify opportunities.

James E. Tolan Human Rights Fellowship

The Tolan Fellowship is only offered in the years that funding has been made available. In years where funding is available, only Fordham Law School JD students are eligible to apply.

The Tolan Fellowship supports a graduating Fordham Law School student annually who design proposals for work at an international human rights organization they have chosen. Established in 2007, the Fellowship is awarded to individuals with a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in international human rights law, and will enable them to gain practical work experience, while providing a modest salary for one year. The Fellowship is named in honor of James E. Tolan ’62, a long-time supporter of the human rights program at Fordham Law School.