About the Fellowship

The Justice Leila Seth Fellowship is a remunerated, 18-month programme, which nurtures a cohort of exceptional lawyers who understand what it takes to create positive change in our society. Selected fellows work directly on litigation, research and advocacy on core social justice issues related to child protection and juvenile justice. They are mentored by iProbono and our community of dedicated advocates.

Justice Leila Seth Fellows work closely with iProbono’s child rights team, consisting of both lawyers and social workers and have the opportunity to support our casework. They also identify and work on specific advocacy projects. Secondments with panel lawyers and partner organisations allow them to develop their legal skills and engage closely with grassroots issues.

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 was born of the recognition that legal professionals have a responsibility to use their skills to serve and empower individuals and communities who require support. It focuses on child rights, specifically child sexual abuse, trafficking, and juvenile justice issues. Other thematic areas include disability rights, housing justice, workers' rights, gender equality, advocating for improvements to the criminal justice system and strengthening civil society.

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

What you Gain

As a part of the JLSF cohort, fellows get 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 careers and from varied backgrounds.

Once a Justice Leila Seth Fellow, always a Justice Leila Seth Fellow. Building relationships with the iProbono team, the panel, and the wider community of changemakers in the child rights space, are key elements of the fellowship. Past fellows are called upon to engage with the current cohort to enable a convergence of ideas and collaborative efforts.

Mentorship

During the 18-month tenure, fellows follow a supervised and structured programme. Working at the iProbono office in Delhi, they complete secondments to select partner organisations and panel lawyers. Senior members of the iProbono team and the Co-Chairs of the fellowship

The 18-month Fellowship will include:

Working closely on iProbono’s child rights casework

Mentorship throughout the fellowship from the iProbono team

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

Secondment to an iProbono partner civil society organisation

Secondment with an iProbono panel lawyer

Secondment to a national iProbono office in India

At the completion of the fellowship, the fellow will prepare and present a report that provides an account of their experience.

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

Application

Please review the selection criteria and how to apply below. We look forward to receiving your application by 22 September 2023.

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 are 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. Early career professionals are encouraged to apply.

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

Fellows should be able to work with a cohort from diverse occupational, geographic, and ideological backgrounds.

Fellows must be ready to commit to an 18-month term, working out of iProbono’s office in Delhi with possible secondments to other jurisdictions.

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, video cover letter and writing sample expressing interest and suitability.

Stage 2

Attend the first round interview.

Stage 3

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