2026 Carl L. McConnell Summer Fellowship

The mission of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County is to fight social injustice through civil legal advocacy for people living in poverty. We’re helping low-income people access the health coverage they need, stay in their homes, maintain critical safety net benefits like food stamps, get work authorization, succeed in school, and escape situations of domestic abuse.

The fellowship is named in memory of Carl L. McConnell, who had a special connection with the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County throughout his career. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1968, Carl held a Reginald Heber Smith Community Law Fellowship at Legal Aid SMC for three years. He returned to Legal Aid SMC after two years on the east coast, serving as a Managing Attorney for seven years. During his years in private practice, Carl maintained close ties with Legal Aid SMC. He received Legal Aid’s Guardian of Justice Award in 2002.

This fellowship, generously funded in Carl’s memory by his friends and colleagues, reflects Carl’s commitment to legal services for those with limited resources, fundamental principles as an attorney—integrity, social justice, and fairness—and dedication to mentoring.

The 2026 Carl L. McConnell Summer Fellow will work with Legal Aid SMC attorneys on the LIBRE team:

LIBRE (Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources, and Education) is a collaborative initiative designed to expand access to safety-net benefits, health coverage, and immigration relief for eligible immigrant residents of San Mateo County.

• The LIBRE Fellow will work closely with LIBRE attorneys over a ten-week fellowship, supporting direct legal services for low-income immigrants. The Fellow will assist with immigration matters including DACA, U Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), VAWA self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and lawful permanent residence (green card) applications, as well as helping clients navigate and access public benefits and health coverage.
• In addition to case support, the Fellow will engage in community outreach, help develop Know Your Rights and educational materials, and participate in policy and advocacy efforts related to public charge and access to benefits.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in law school (first and second-year students welcome to apply)
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law
• Excellent writing and research skills
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish

Compensation:

• Fellows are expected to commit 35 hours per week for 10 weeks at $23/hour.

To Apply: Email your resume and a cover letter to fellowships@legalaidsmc.org.