In 2019, the Center established the Paul Weiss Student Fellows Program, supported by a generous grant from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The program provides a stipend for up to four 2L students each year to conduct research into topics of race and inequality for use in advocacy, litigation, and public education under the guidance and supervision of Center leadership. Student Fellows also assist with the planning and execution of the Center’s events.
The inaugural class of Paul Weiss Student Fellows, contributed broadly to the work of the Center during the 2019-2020 academic year. Their work supported local and national criminal justice policy reforms efforts, toolkits for advocates engaged in community development, the oversight of algorithmic tools used by government actors, and deepening the network of racial justice focused centers at law schools nationwide. Student Fellows also helped elevate the Center’s public profile by curating relevant content for social media and fostering collaborations with civil rights and racial justice organizations. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Student Fellows supported decarceration efforts as part of the Center’s ongoing partnership with advocates focused on parole reform in New York.