Housed at Columbia Law School, the Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) aims to amplify the talents of formerly incarcerated individuals by providing skills-based legal training and connecting them with professional mentorship in preparation for careers in the legal field.
In Fall 2019, the Paralegal Pathways team developed an initial curriculum and welcomed its first group of co-designers in Spring 2020.
In Fall 2020, the team refined the program curriculum and began to secure financial and institutional support to ensure that the program will be stable and sustainable.
In Spring 2021, the initiative launched a fully virtual pilot phase, where co-designers participated in a 12-week training program. The program connected participants with professional and justice-impacted mentors and provided ongoing support and professional development opportunities.
Spring 2022 was the official launch of the initiative, where we began supporting participants seeking to enhance their legal careers by matching them with a paid fellowship or connecting them with other employment opportunities. For participants actively pursuing law school, LSAT support is provided by a law firm partner.
Program Structure
Through a semester-long course, this initiative will leverage the talents of individuals who have gained legal skills while incarcerated and connect them with professional legal opportunities. This cohort includes former jailhouse lawyers, pro se litigants, and other individuals with direct legal and advocacy experience looking to pursue careers in the legal field. Participants who successfully complete the program may have the opportunity to pursue a paid fellowship.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Reside in New York City
- Have been formerly incarcerated and at least one year post-release
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in the legal field
- Commit to attending an in-person two-hour class one night a week for 12 weeks, and additional programming and workshops
- Commit to contributing to a collaborative learning environment
- Complete an interview
Familiarity with LexisNexis and/or Westlaw is not required, but preferred.
We are strongly committed to diversity within our programming. We welcome applications from a wide range of people and do not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status.
Apply here: https://bit.ly/PPISpring2024Application.
The application includes:
- A copy of your resume
- 350-450 word response to a writing prompt, and
- 500-word personal statement
- Optional: writing sample, personal statement, letter of recommendation
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.