2026 Lawyer's/Meehan/Gismondi Fund Summer Fellowship Application

2026 Lawyer's Fund, John Meehan Fund, and John P. Gismondi Law Student Summer Fellowship Program Application
Certified Summer Fellowship positions will be awarded through the Lawyer's Fund at the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, the John Meehan Citizenship Institute Fund, and the John P. Gismondi Certified Law Student Fund. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria including completion of his or her second year of law school by the time the fellowship begins, and eligibility to be certified to appear in court pursuant to Pa. Bar Admission Rule 321. Fellowship stipends in the amount of $7,000* will be awarded for participating in the Law Student Summer Fellowship Program from May 25, 2026 through July 31, 2026. More information about the program can be found on the ACBF website including descriptions of each Fellowship.

Please Note: the John P. Gismondi Certified Law Student Summer Fellowship is ONLY open to 2L students attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Applications must be submitted by November 2, 2025 to be considered.

The application is in the following format:
1. General Information
2. Academic Achievement
3. References
4. Extracurriculars & Other Activities
5. Document Upload
  1. 500-word Essay (Please attach an essay limited to 500 words expressing why you would like to be a Summer Fellow for a public interest organization that provides legal services to families of limited means in Allegheny County.)
  2. Resume
  3. Unofficial Transcript
6. Organization Preferences
7. Certification
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Selya at sselya@acba.org or (412) 402-6674.
* You may be eligible to apply for additional funding through Equal Justice America. EJA is offering funding of up to $5,000 to students who work full time during Summer 2026 for organizations providing direct civil legal assistance to the poor. For more information on how to apply, visit the Equal Justice America website.

I. General Information
Full Name*

First NameM.I.Last Name
Current Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Email Address*
example@example.com
Primary Phone Number*
Secondary Phone Number
Preferred pronouns*

II. Academic Achievement
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate College Attended*
Undergraduate Year Graduated*
Undergraduate Estimated GPA*
Undergraduate Degree*
Graduate Education
Graduate College Attended
Graduate Rank/Cumulative GPA
Graduate School Graduation Year
Graduate Degree
Law School Education
Important: Please note, we can only award scholarships to institutions in Maryland unless granted unique major status.
Which Institution are you currently attending?*
If other, please specify:
Law School Current Year*
Anticipated Law School Graduation Year*
Law School Cumulative GPA*
Please list the most recent final GPA you have available.

III. References
Give the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three persons from whom information may be obtained regarding your character, academic ability, commitment to public service, and your prospective future in the field of law.
Reference #1
Reference Name

First NameLast Name
Reference Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Reference Email
example@example.com
Reference #2
Reference Name

First NameLast Name
Reference Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Reference Email
example@example.com
Reference #3
Reference Name

First NameLast Name
Reference Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Reference Email
example@example.com

IV. Extracurriculars and Other Activities
Please list your extracurricular or other activities while enrolled in law school and/or during your undergraduate/graduate and/or after graduation from college/graduate school.

V. Document Upload
Please attach an essay limited to 500 words expressing why you would like to be a Summer Fellow for a public interest organization that provides legal services to families of limited means in Allegheny County. *

The essay should consist of no more than 500 words. Please submit in PDF format.
Cancelof
Resume*

Please include a resume that lists your honors, activities and interests in PDF format.
Cancelof
Unofficial Transcript*

Please submit an unofficial transcript from your university in PDF format.
Cancelof

VI. Organization Preferences
All students may apply for fellowships through the Lawyers' Fund of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation and the John Meehan Citizenship Fund.

Only those students who are currently attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Law may apply for the John P. Gismondi Certified Law Student Summer Fellowship.

Descriptions of each fellowship can be found here.
Please indicate the fellowship(s) to which you are applying (you may select more than one):*

The Lawyers' Fund Summer FellowshipThe John Meehan Citizenship Institute Fellowship at Jewish Family & Community ServicesThe John P. Gismondi Certified Law Student Summer Fellowship at Neighborhood Legal Services (PITT STUDENTS ONLY)
LAWYERS' FUND ONLY: Organization Ranking

If you selected the Lawyers' Fund above, please rank the top five organizations where you would like to obtain a Law Student Fellowship for Summer 2022. Use Choice 1 as your highest preference, then 2, 3, 4, and 5 as subsequently rated choices. Do not rank the same organization more than one time.
Choice 1*
Choice 2
Choice 3
Choice 4
Choice 5
Is there an organization(s) on this list that you do NOT want to be considered for a fellowship? Please list below.

VII. Certification
By signing below, you certify that all statements made in this Fellowship application are true and complete.*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Please verify that you are human*
Should be Empty:

2026 Lawyer's Fund, John Meehan Fund, and John P. Gismondi Law Student Summer Fellowship Program Application

Undergraduate Education

Graduate Education

Law School Education

Reference #1

Reference #2

Reference #3

LAWYERS' FUND ONLY: Organization Ranking