Hofstra Law Opens New Public Service Career Center
The center provides scholarships and career support to help students pursue public interest law.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Scholarships
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Hofstra Law has opened the new Mendel Center for Public Justice, funded by a $10 million donation from alumni Emily and Stephen Mendel. The center is designed to support law students and graduates pursuing careers in public service through new funding and mentorship resources.
Why it matters
The center addresses the financial barriers that often prevent new attorneys from choosing public interest law. By offering specific aid and advising, it aims to create more viable career paths for students committed to serving the public interest.
The Mendel Center for Public Justice launched with a $10 million gift from 1977 law graduates. This endowment will provide scholarships, research stipends, and internship funding for students, though the specific criteria for eligibility have yet to be finalized.
The players
Emily and Stephen Mendel
Donors and 1977 alumni of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.
Jennifer Gundlach
Executive director of the Mendel Center and holder of the Emily and Stephen Mendel Distinguished Professorship.
Maurice A. Deane School of Law
The law school at Hofstra University hosting the newly established public justice center.
The details
The Mendel Center operates by integrating financial assistance with professional development. Students gain access to dedicated career advising and mentorship programs that connect them with alumni and practitioners in the field. Additionally, the center coordinates pro bono initiatives and partnerships with various government agencies and legal services organizations in the region.
Timeline
1977: Emily and Stephen Mendel graduated from Hofstra Law.
October 2026: The Mendel Center for Public Justice opened at Hofstra Law.
Education Landscape
This development follows a broader trend of law schools establishing specialized centers to reduce the debt-to-income disparity for public interest attorneys. It complements existing federal resources like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program by providing upfront aid during the degree.
Law students at Hofstra can now apply for new scholarship and internship funding designed to offset the costs of public service research. Interested students should contact the admissions or financial aid office to inquire about specific eligibility rules and application timelines.
The takeaway
The Mendel Center aims to make public interest law a financially sustainable career for new graduates. Students should check with the law school office to see how these new fellowships and mentorship programs can be integrated into their existing financial aid packages.
Further reading
To learn more about how to fund your legal education, visit our Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Long Island Business News.
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