Inside Dallas's Rare Paid Federal Civil Rights Fellowship

The Merritt Civil Rights Fellowship stands out as one of the few paid programs of its kind in the American South. The five-week summer initiative offers law students and recent graduates hands-on experience in federal civil rights litigation, pairing them with practicing attorneys to master the complexities of the courtroom. The program’s curriculum concludes with an intensive week at the National Bar Association Convention.

Beyond providing financial support, the fellowship relies on a unique institutional coalition. The program operates through a partnership between the Merritt Law Firm, UNT Dallas College of Law, Morehouse College, and the National Bar Association. This structure connects students directly to federal court faculty and professional networks, bridging the gap between academic training and actual practice. U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver is scheduled to preside over the demonstration, joined by trial faculty including Professor Cheryl Wattley. Applications for the next cohort open in September.