Dr. M.L. "Hank" Henry, Jr. Judicial Fellowship Program
The Dr. M.L. "Hank" Henry, Jr. Judicial Fellowship Program was established in memory of the groundbreaking efforts by Dr. Henry, former Executive Director of the Fund for Modern Courts, to ensure that openly gay and lesbian candidates were fairly considered for appointed judicial positions across New York.
The Fellowship offers law students an intensive 9–10 week summer internship providing the rare opportunity to rotate among multiple LGBTQ+ and ally judges sitting on trial and appellate benches throughout the state and city court systems.
Fellows gain a comprehensive insider's perspective on judicial administration, observe oral arguments and trial conferences, work alongside openly LGBTQ+ jurists, and complete 1–2 substantive written legal assignments (draft decisions and judicial bench memoranda).
The fellowship is open to all law students with a demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ+ civil rights, equality, and public service. LGBT Bar NY strongly values diversity across race, ethnicity, gender identity, and background, and encourages all qualified students to apply.
Applications for the 2026 Summer Fellowship are currently closed. The submission deadline was Friday, February 27, 2026. Information and application packets for the 2027 Summer Fellowship will be announced in early winter.