The Rutgers Law Associates fellows, all of whom have applied to, or are already admitted to practice law in New Jersey, devote one year to closely-supervised practice and associated courses in professional responsibility, small firm management, and relevant practice areas. Upon completing the program, these lawyers are fully prepared to join established law practice in either the public or private sector or to launch viable quality practices of their own.
Managing the program is Professor Andrew J. Rothman, Esq., an attorney/educator committed to legal education and professional practice, who has extensive experience both in the courtroom and in the law school classroom, teaching civil practice, professional responsibility and law firm development.
Program fellows are expected to work on client matters about two-thirds of their time, and participate in seminars and other classes related to practice areas, business development and management, and problems in professional responsibility for much of the balance of their time. As they progress through the program, fellows devote some of their time to marketing and client development in addition to their legal and classroom work. Each receives a modest stipend. Rutgers Law School covers all the tuition costs associated with their coursework.
What distinguishes the Rutgers Law Associates Fellowship Program is the concentrated skills training regimen that is conducted daily, after the model of medical rounds for medical residencies. Fellows work collaboratively, brainstorming and critiquing one another with the managing attorney, to develop best practices for the work they are performing for the program’s clients. Unlike other post-graduation training programs, the Rutgers Law Associates Fellowship is an educational enterprise of the Law School and is not an independent non-profit law firm.
While the advantages this program are providing new lawyers in their development as successful practitioners is evident, the benefit the program is providing to the public is as important and as sorely needed. Recent economic stresses have put tremendous pressure on that segment of the population that is neither indigent, and therefore eligible for some legal assistance from public defenders, legal aid organizations and law school clinics, nor wealthy enough to afford a private attorney’s service. Provision of affordable legal service by new lawyers under the supervision of an experienced teacher/practitioner is helping to meet this burgeoning need.
The Fellowship is open to qualified graduates from all ABA-approved law schools. All applications should include a cover letter, resume, transcript and writing sample and be submitted to CareerDevelopment@law.rutgers.edu. Admission to the Fellowship Program is contingent on admission to the New Jersey Bar.
Program Specifics:
- August Admission (Newark and Camden)
- Applications Accepted Beginning: February 1, 2024
- Application Deadline: May 20, 2024
- First Day of Classes: August 12, 2024
- Completion Date: August 11, 2025
- Annual Stipend: $50,000