How To Apply For A Fellowship

Application Materials

Applicants should submit a résumé, two writing samples, a law school transcript, and a list of three references. We look for applicants with strong academic records, including clinical experience and extracurricular activities such as journal work and moot court participation.

Writing Sample

Writing samples play an important role in our hiring decisions for fellows. The writing sample should reflect the applicant’s writing skills and should include factual and legal analysis. We prefer that the applicant submit a sample that has been edited little, if at all, by someone other than the applicant. The cover page of the writing sample should indicate the purpose for which it was prepared and the degree to which it was edited by someone else. Because we read writing samples blind, please do not include any identifying information after the cover page.

Although publication of a law review note or comment is a praiseworthy achievement, we do not find such publications to be useful writing samples because of the extensive editing they typically receive. Similarly, applicants should consider carefully whether an assignment from a first-year legal writing course accurately reflects their current analytic and writing abilities.

Law School Transcript

Applicants should submit the most recent transcript available. Photocopies are acceptable, but should include an explanation of the school’s grading system. If the applicant is a third-year law student and the most recent transcript does not indicate current course enrollment, the applicant should submit a separate list of current courses.

References

References should be from people personally familiar with the applicant and the quality of his or her legal work. A reference from someone who can knowledgably discuss the applicant’s capabilities will be more helpful than a reference, for example, from an eminent law professor who knows only the grade the applicant received in his or her class. Subject to that caveat, references from practicing attorneys are considered as valuable as references from law school professors.

If possible, applicants for the fellowship should submit the materials described above by email, addressed to Natalia Thurston at Thurston@smwlaw.com.

Alternatively, materials may be mailed to the following address:

Hiring Coordinator
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
396 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Questions about the fellowship program or application requirements should be directed to the firm’s Human Resources Director, Jeanne Freed, at freed@smwlaw.com or (415) 552-7272, extension 240.