Legal Studies Latest News as of 8/14/25

August 14, 2025
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Drop-In Hours today 8/14:  9-11:30 & 2:30-4
1) Harper's Review
2) Cal-in-Sac Fllwshp
3) Schaeffer Fllwshp
4) Fed Pub Svc Fllwshp Prog
5) Democracy Camp
6) Gardner Pub Svc Fllwshp
7) Percy Undergrad Grant
8) Washington Fllwshp
9) Congressional Intrnshp
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1) Harper's Review
Harper's Review

We are The Harper Review, a review of politics and culture run by University of Chicago students that takes inspiration from publications such as Compact, The Hedgehog Review, The New Criterion, The Point, The Drift, The New Statesman, Dissent, First Things, County Highway and classics like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper’s Magazine. 

We are now looking for essays and shorter “letters” for our fall issue.

We’re interested in essays that:

  • Thoughtfully explore cultural and political phenomena.

  • Don’t rely on academic jargon or vogue.

  • Are written for a general audience without talking down or dumbing down.

  • Are 1,500–2,500 words—we’re happy to look at longer or marginally shorter pieces, but we want to give writers space to fully flesh out their ideas.

  • Argue something we may not hear from the talking heads.

  • Connect life on the ground to big ideas and vice versa. 

  • Take those that disagree seriously. 

Note: we don’t want academic papers—ideas from class papers can inspire our essays, but we are a general-audience magazine, not an academic journal.

We’re also looking for shorter “letters” (4–5 paragraphs or 400–600 words) responding to the statement “We should still believe in progress.” Argue in favor, against, or that the statement itself is flawed—we want to hear it all. 

Want to get more of a sense of our magazine? Here are a few highlights from the archive: New York University graduate student Nicolas McKelvie reflects on New York City’s campaign against lanternflies. Longtime activist and educator Bill Ayers talks about children’s natural nose for lies Magazine cofounder and USA Today editor Surya Gowda argues that the new media paradigm manufactures dissent

If any of this sounds like your jam, shoot us a draft or a pitch and a writing sample at harperreview@gmail.com. If you are interested in subscribing to our weekly email newsletter or reading pieces we’ve published in the past, please visit our websiteWe will be accepting drafts for our fall issue until September 25th—we hope to hear from you!

Sincerely,

The editors of The Harper Review
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2) Cal-in-Sac Fllwshp
Cal-in-Sac Fllwshp
The Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship is one of the University of California’s largest and most prestigious campus-based public service internship programs. Each year, the Matsui Center selects a cohort of 25-30 UC Berkeley undergraduates who are passionate about public service and helps prepare them for a meaningful career through coursework, research training, and internship experience. During the spring semester, Fellows take a 3-unit course on California policy and politics, along with a professional development curriculum and research training. During the summer, Fellows move to Sacramento, where they complete an eight-week public service internship working in the offices of Senate and Assembly members, the Governor's Office, state agencies, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations. The program provides free shared housing in Sacramento, as well as a transportation and living stipend. Applicants are also eligible to apply for a Supplemental Fellowship.

Requirements, eligibility, & more: Click Here
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 5 at 11:59pm
Program Contact: Megan Collins, Matsui Senior Program Manager,  meganjcollins@berkeley.edu

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3) Schaeffer Fllwshp
Schaeffer Fllwshp
The Matsui Center's Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program supports undergraduate students pursuing careers in government. Schaeffer Fellows complete 10-week, full-time summer internships with a government agency or elected official at the federal, state or local level. In additional to their summer internship experience, Fellows attend a 3-day professional conference in Washington, DC, and benefit from professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. These experiences are designed to help Fellows prepare for their careers and develop an informed view of government service and operations. Fellows receive a $6,000 stipend to defray summer living and transportation expenses.
Requirements, eligibility, & more: Click Here
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 5 at 11:59pm
Program Contact: Megan Collins, Matsui Senior Program Manager,  meganjcollins@berkeley.edu
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4) Fed Pub Svc Fllwshp Prog
Fed Pub Svc Fllwshp Prog
The Matsui Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship Program is a collaboration between the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service and Cal in the Capital (CITC). It is designed to inspire students who represent the diversity of American society – particularly first-generation and low-income students – to enter federal public service in our nation's capital. Our goal is to provide Berkeley students with the resources, support, training and experience needed to create a pathway into federal changemaking spaces. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply directly to Cal in the Capital and complete the Pathways Fellowship section of the CITC application.

Requirements, eligibility, & more: Click Here
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 28 at 11:59pm
Program Contact: Rubin Rubin, Matsui Program Manager
rubinrubin@berkeley.edu
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5) Democracy Camp
Democracy Camp
Democracy Camp is designed for Berkeley undergrads who are interested in enhancing our democracy through public service, and who are still discerning their unique pathway. Students can apply to one of two programs: Democracy Camp in Berkeley, the Matsui Center's alternative spring break program, or Democracy Camp in DC, a weeklong experiential learning program in the nation's capital. In both programs, students meet with guest speakers from different fields, gain professional development skills, and grow their network. Upon completing the program, participants are engaged, empowered, and informed about how to make an impact in their communities and beyond.

Democracy Camp in Berkeley
Program Dates:
Monday, March 23 – Thursday, March 26, 2026
Application Deadline:
Sunday, November 2 at 11:59pm
Program Contact:
Rubin Rubin
Matsui Program Manager
rubinrubin@berkeley.edu

Democracy Camp in DC
Program Dates:
Friday, May 22 – Saturday, May 30, 2026
Application Deadline:
Sunday, November 2 at 11:59pm
Program Contact:
Megan Collins
Matsui Senior Program Manager
meganjcollins@berkeley.edu
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6) Gardner Pub Svc Fllwshp
Gardner Pub Svc Fllwshp
UC Berkeley seniors — launch your public service career after graduation!

The John Gardner Public Service Fellowship program selects six Fellows during the spring semester from among the graduating classes at UC Berkeley and Stanford University and provides each a $52,000 stipend to work in the governmental or nonprofit organization that matches their public service interests for ten months. During their Fellowship, Fellows are paired with a senior-level mentor who guides their professional growth and development and provides opportunities and exposure, which exceeds what is normally available to a recent graduate. The goal of the John Gardner Fellowship is to provide meaningful postgraduate leadership opportunities and to encourage UC Berkeley’s best students to pursue a career in public service.

What the Fellowship Provides

A 10-month placement with a nonprofit or government organization
A senior-level mentor to support your leadership journey
A $52,000 stipend
Who Should Apply:
Graduating seniors from all majors with a strong commitment to public service. Eligible applicants include UC Berkeley students graduating between Summer 2025 and Summer 2026.

Requirements, eligibility, & more: Click Here
Application Deadline: Monday, October 20 at 11:59pm
Program Contact: Terri Bimes, UC Berkeley John Gardner Fellowship Program Director, bimes@berkeley.edu 
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7) Percy Undergrad Grant
Percy Undergrad Grant
Charles H. Percy Undergraduate Grant for Public Affairs Research

The Institute of Governmental Studies will award up to four research grants in the amount of $1,000 each to UC Berkeley undergraduate students who are conducting research on an aspect of American politics, including public opinion, electoral behavior, civic participation, government institutions, social movements, and public policy. We encourage students from all majors to apply. More information about eligibility and requirements can be found on our website.

Eligibility & Requirements: CLICK HERE
Application Deadline: Sunday, November 30 at 11:59pm

Program Contact: Rubin Rubin, Matsui Program Manager, rubinrubin@berkeley.edu
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8) Washington Fllwshp
Washington Fllwshp
The Matsui Center Washington Fellowship offers financial support for Berkeley undergraduate students participating in the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC). The fellowship provides a $1,000 stipend to help defray the costs of spending a semester in Washington, DC. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply directly to the UC Berkeley Washington Program.

Requirements, eligibility, & more: Click Here
Program Contact: Rubin Rubin, Matsui Program Manager,  rubinrubin@berkeley.edu
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Congressional Intrnshp
Congressional Intrnshp

Job Title: Congressional Campaign Intern (Blake Gendebien for the North Country, NY-21)

Location: St Lawrence County, NY / Remote

Position Type: Internship (Part-time, unpaid)

Duration: September–December 2025

Reports To: Campaign Coordinator / Finance Director 

Meet Blake

Blake is a husband, father of three boys, second-generation dairy farmer, small business owner, and served as Vice Chair of the Cooperative Board of Agri-Mark. He was born and raised on a farm in the North Country and has been deeply rooted in this community his whole life. He is running for Congress to be a bridge between our region and Washington D.C. He’ll be an honest voice to uplift farmers, families, veterans, and small businesses while keeping bureaucracy in check. 

Now, Blake Gendebien for Congress is looking for a driven and dedicated individuals focused on building relationships between volunteers, activists and partners. The internship program aims to get young people involved in politics through both digital and in-person organizing in New York’s 21st Congressional District. 

Interns will gain valuable organizing experience and professional development and will play a critical role in the future of New York’s 21st Congressional District. Young people in and out of the district are encouraged to apply -- no prior organizing experience is necessary! 

Position Summary:

As a Campaign Intern, you will work closely with campaign staff and volunteers to support daily operations, voter outreach, communications, and field efforts. This internship is ideal for individuals passionate about politics, civic engagement, and public service. No prior campaign experience is required, just a willingness to learn, work hard, and be part of a dynamic team. Applicants should be able to commit at least 20 hours per week towards this position. 

The campaign will have three separate departments for interns: 

  1. Organizing / Field Operations 

  2. Social Media 

  3. Finance 

Please indicate in your application which of those positions you believe you would be the best fit for, and why. Please also indicate which other departments you would be interested in working with, as certain departments will have more positions available than others. 

How to Apply:

Prospective interns can apply here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, we encourage all to apply!

Key Responsibilities 

Organizing / Field Operations: 

  • Assist with voter outreach via phone banking, canvassing, and text banking

  • Organize and take part in campus-based relational outreach activities

  • Attend and staff campaign events, including town halls 

  • Conduct volunteer outreach and training 

Social Media:

  • Draft engaging social media posts for platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok

  • Create  graphics, videos, and infographics using tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite

  • Monitor relevant political and community news to develop timely content

Finance: 

  • Conduct research on potential donors and find accurate contact information

  • Assist in compiling donor profiles using public records and campaign finance databases

  • Assist donor correspondence programs, including fundraising emails, thank-you notes, and call scripts

  • Support fundraising events

  • Learn campaign finance strategies, platforms, compliance, and practices

  • Other duties supporting the campaign team as assigned

All interns, regardless of department, will be responsible for completing weekly voter outreach goals - this will consist of door-to-door canvassing for interns living in-district. Remote interns will have similar outreach goals via phonebank. 

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