2027 Lawyers' Fund, John Meehan Fund, and John P. Gismondi Law Student Summer Fellowship Program Application

Certified Summer Fellowship positions will be awarded through the Lawyers' 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 24, 2027 through July 30, 2027. 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 1, 2026 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.

Descriptions of each Fellowship can be found here.

* 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 2027 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

II. Academic Achievement

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.

IV. Extracurriculars and Other Activities

V. Document Upload

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.

VII. Certification