About the Fellowship

The Justice Leila Seth Fellowship draws together a cohort of lawyers to enhance their legal education in an environment that nurtures integrity, professional development and network building. Selected Fellows join a wider movement committed to social justice while working at iProbono’s Delhi office, with secondments to partner organisations in India. The Fellowship is full-time, and Fellows are paid a competitive monthly salary that can support them adequately to live in Delhi.

The foundation of the Fellowship rests on the vision and strategy designed and implemented by iProbono, which includes —

Strengthening the impact of civil society

Advancing justice for all by representing people in need

Advocating for policies that promote social equity and end discrimination

Thematic Areas

iProbono's approach is based on principles that inform a good society, such as free speech, democratic participation and accountability. Current thematic focus areas include gender equality, violence against women and children, LGBTQ+, minorities, disability, and discrimination based on race or caste. We remain responsive to broader needs of civil society, deploying our methods to enhance economic empowerment, health, education, shelter, conservation, animal welfare and a host of other cause areas.

The Fellowship will combine legal education, active litigation, and advocacy through storytelling to change hearts and minds. This philosophy gives our most vulnerable clients a voice, takes our stories to a broader audience and enhances our impact.

An integral part of the programme is education through storytelling. For example, taking stories of important legal interventions to university students to instil a rights-based sensibility and promote the ideals of a fair society as embodied by the Constitution.

Cohort

As a part of the JLSF cohort, Fellows will be given the opportunity to work on social justice issues, while promoting and developing the concept of pro bono lawyering.

The Fellowship aims to stimulate, challenge and support young lawyers who are in the early stages of their career and from varied backgrounds.

Once a Justice Leila Seth Fellow, always a Justice Leila Seth Fellow. Building relationships with the team, the clients, and the wider community of lawyers, are key elements of the Fellowship. Past Fellows will also be called upon to engage with current Fellows to enable a convergence of ideas and collaborative efforts.

Mentorship

During the 18 month tenure of the first cohort, two Fellows will follow a supervised and structured programme. They will work in the iProbono offices in Delhi and Mumbai, the wider community of iProbono lawyers and seconded to select partner organisations.

Senior members of the iProbono team will support the Fellows to produce written material for public dissemination.

The 18-month Fellowship will include:

Focused casework in iProbono's thematic areas impacting child rights, women's rights or minority rights

Mentorship throughout the Fellowship from an experienced advocate

Training in iProbono's model of delivering pro bono legal services to civil society organisations

Secondment to an iProbono partner civil society organisation

Secondment to a national iProbono office in India

At the end of the first Fellowship year and at completion, the Fellow will prepare and present a report that provides an account of their experience.

After the first year of the Fellowship, candidates will design a project/programme in one of the thematic areas and submit it to the Fellowship Committee for review. The programme should have the potential to further women/children's rights – either in the form of empirical research or intervention in legal proceedings or policy-interventions.

For any queries, please get in touch with us at JLSF@i-probono.com or Apply Now.

Application

The Justice Leila Seth Fellowship is a remunerated, 18 month programme which will build a cohort of exceptional lawyers who understand what it takes to create positive change in our society. Selected Fellows will work directly on litigation, research and advocacy on core social justice issues mentored by iProbono and our community of dedicated advocates. Please review the selection criteria and how to apply below. We look forward to receiving your application by 28 February 2021.

We believe that the Fellows, with varying levels of life experience, are going to be leaders of this movement. We are looking to develop a diverse cohort who seek to develop their leadership potential through this 18 month Fellowship.

Apply Now

Selection Criteria

Fellows will be recruited through a competitive selection process and judged on their demonstrated commitment to social justice, knowledge of the law or other, equally, compelling experience.

The required academic qualification is an undergraduate law degree from an Indian University.

Fellows do not need to have experience working in human rights or social justice but must demonstrate a passion for social justice.

Applicants should be able to work with a cohort of Fellows of diverse occupational, geographic, and ideological profiles.

The applicant will need to commit to an 18-month term as a Fellow commencing in 2021.

Fellows will work from iProbono’s Delhi office, with secondments to a partner organisation either in Delhi NCR or another location in India. This is a paid Fellowship, and Fellows will receive support, training and opportunities for legal interventions, along with access to professional networks. They will join a wider movement of lawyers committed to social justice.

HOW TO APPLY

Through the three-stage process detailed below, we will select candidates with the highest potential into the program.

Stage 1

Submit an application form along with a detailed CV and cover letter expressing interest and suitability.

Stage 2

Submit a two-minute video recording and two writing samples.

Stage 3

Attend a virtual interview with members of the Fellowship Selection Committee.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

15 January 2021

Call for applications
28 February 2021

Round 1 - Submit the application including CV and cover letter
20 March 2021

First shortlist of candidates
5 April 2021

Round 2 - Submit video recording and writing samples
20 April 2021

Second shortlist of candidates announced
1-7 May 2021

Virtual interview with the Selection Committee
20 June 2021

Announcement of the Justice Leila Seth Fellows 2021-2022
June 2022

Call for applications for Justice Leila Seth Fellows 2022-2023