The Indian Litigation Fellowship to empower first-generation women litigators to kick off in June 2024

The Indian Litigation Fellowship, designed to address the challenges encountered by first-generation women litigators pursuing careers in dispute resolution, is set to kick off in June 2024.

The program aims to provide financial and mentorship support to empower young women entering the legal profession.

Acknowledging the rising enrollment of women in law schools throughout India and recognizing the challenges they face during their transition into the legal profession, especially within the courtroom, the program aims to establish a supportive environment and offer early career training for first-generation women litigators.

The program will award a total of four fellowships for the 2024-25 cycle. Two types of fellowships are available:

1. Litigation Fellowship

The Litigation Fellowship, with support from Mr. Smaran Shetty, will be awarded to 3 first-generation women litigators.

The Litigation Fellows are free to secure employment with litigation chambers of their own choosing.

Interested applicants are encouraged to identify litigation chambers where they will receive the required mentorship, professional exposure and training that align with their professional goals.

The applicants will have to disclose the details of the chambers if employment has already been secured.

2. Lawyer in Residence Fellowship

The Lawyer in Residence, with support from Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access (IDIA), Tanmay Amar and Anusha Reddy will be awarded to one first-generation woman litigator.

The Lawyer in Residence Fellowship will be attached to Pravah Law Offices India, New Delhi for a period of 1 year.

Pravah Law Offices India is the litigation chamber of Shrutanjaya Bhardwaj. The chamber’s practice is primarily situated at the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, and the practise areas include constitutional law, criminal law, sports law, service law, arbitration law and intellectual property law. The chamber routinely undertakes pro bono advisory and litigation work.

Working at Pravah Law is a condition attached to the Fellowship. This requirement ensures that the fellow can benefit from the promised support, guidance, and professional development opportunities in the field of litigation that the fellowship aims to provide in addition to monetary support.

There will be one joint application for both fellowships. Candidates are free to apply to both fellowships subject to meeting the condition of  working at Pravah Law Offices India for the Lawyer in Residence Fellowship.

A yearly sum of ₹3,60,000 will be granted to each fellow. The amount will be disbursed on a monthly basis. The fellowship will be for a period of 1 year and will commence in June, 2024.

The Four selected Fellows will also have the benefit of mentorship from a network of experienced women litigators. 

Selection Criteria

• The fellowship is only open to women.

• The fellowship is open to final year students as well as litigators with 0-2 years of experience.

• The fellowship is only open to first generation litigators, i.e. those applicants who do not have any immediate family member(s) in the legal profession. Further, preference will be given to those applicants who also do not have any members of their extended families in their legal profession

The applications are to be submitted here.

For the year 2024-2025, the final date for receipt of applications is February 11, 2024. The selection of the successful candidate will be made by May 5, 2024.

For inquiries, contact indianlitigationfellowship@gmail.com.