Saeks Public Interest Residency Program

Through the Saeks Public Interest Residency Program, students gain nearly two years of significant legal experience in public or government service while earning their J.D. The two-year program begins in a student's 3L year and continues into the first post-graduate year. During the 3L year, the student will work at a partner organization and participate in a complementary classroom component with other scholars in the program. After graduating and taking the bar exam, the graduate will return to the partner organization as a full-time paid employee for one full year post-graduation.

Students apply in spring of their 2L year. Interested students should discuss the program with their career counselor and verify their graduation requirements, paying special attention to the requirements for in-class coursework and required upper-division classes. Interested students should review selection criteria listed below.

Applications are due in February each year. The application is posted on Symplicity. Students can apply for one or more partner organizations through individual postings.

The partner organizations will review each candidate’s application and schedule interviews with students. The student then will have a set period of time to accept the offer. If a student receives more than one offer from a partner organization, the student will have the option to choose the preferred placement.

Students earn a total of 20 credits per year and pay regular tuition. The breakdown of credits by component and semester is as follows:

• Classroom component: 2 credits per semester, 4 credits per year
• Externship component: 8 credits per semester, 16 credits per year

Students will be able to enroll in additional law school courses as long as the course requirements and times do not conflict with the hours required by the partner organization or the student's limitation on out-of-class credits. Enrollment in courses while participating in the program requires pre-approval from Amanda Furst, director of the Residency Program.

Participation in the program may count toward the course requirements for certain concentrations. Students seeking to apply the credit hours earned from the program toward a concentration should meet with the appropriate concentration faculty supervisor for approval.

Students will work approximately 32 hours a week during their 3L year. These hours do not include the classroom component of the program, which adds an additional two (2) classroom hours per week. Students will arrange their schedules directly with their partner organization.

Yes. Students will end their 3L externship year on the last day of spring classes. They then will have a break until early fall to study for and take the bar exam.

Students receive externship credit for the externship year. Students will earn 10 credits per semester, 20 credits per year, upon satisfactory completion of the externship and class components of the program. During the post-graduate fellowship year, graduates will receive a salary plus standard benefits from their partner organization.

Please contact Amanda Furst, amfurst@umn.edu or 612-626-7517