Program Overview

What is the Douglass Fellowship?

Inspired by Frederick Douglass’s commitment to freedom, education, and advocacy, the Human Trafficking Institute provides an opportunity for law students chosen through a competitive process to participate in a nine-month fellowship program focused on developing future leaders in the anti-human trafficking movement and providing resources to those currently combatting human trafficking around the globe.

Empowering the Next Generation of Anti-Trafficking Leaders

Through thorough research and being paired with a mentor, each Douglass Fellow will deepen their understanding of human trafficking and make a significant impact contribution to the cause of freedom.

The Douglass Fellows represent the next generation of anti-trafficking leaders working to decimate human trafficking at its source.

2019-20 Douglass Fellows Celebrate with Virtual Finale

The 2019-20 Douglass Fellows Finale looked slightly different than previous year-end celebrations. Due to COVID-19, this year’s Fellows class marked the end of their fellowship with a virtual event in April. And, while their second semester was altered, their accomplishments were not diminished.

Douglass Fellows Learn from Experts in D.C.

The Institute’s third class of Douglass Fellows joined staff for two days of hands-on orientation and training in Washington, D.C. in September. This year’s class had the unique opportunity to not only hear from members of the Institute team, but also from experts in the field, who shared how their legal experience shaped their careers and offered them a unique platform to bear witness to justice.

Douglass Fellows Host Advocacy Events to Raise Awareness

Each year, the Douglass Fellows program has participants from elite law schools across the country. Throughout the year, Fellows are asked to organize and execute at least one advocacy event, which provides an opportunity for participants to highlight important conversations within the anti-trafficking movement.
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Meet the 2020–21 Fellows

Douglass Fellows Alumni

2019-20
2018-19
2017-18

2020–21 Mentors

Lori Cohen

Executive Director, ECPAT-USA

Alexandra Gelber

Deputy Chief Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice

Meg Roggensack

Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center

Yiota G. Souras

Senior Vice President & General Counsel, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

“My fellowship was one of the highlights of my third year of law school. It’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels in law school, but my fellowship work gave me a sense of purpose and put my legal skills to real, practical use.”

Rachel Geissler, University of North Carolina Law School, Douglass Fellow Class of 2019-20

"The Douglass Fellowship was, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding experiences of my law school career. The work assigned to fellows is thoughtfully designed to expand their human trafficking knowledge, hone their legal research and writing skills, and provide a unique opportunity to support the Human Trafficking Institute's critical mission."

- Whitney Kramer, Harvard Law School Douglass Fellow, Class of 2018-19

"I wasn't sure what to expect from this program, but whatever I was expecting, you have surpassed it in every way possible. I can't tell you how grateful and honored I am to be a part of the inaugural class of Douglass Fellows and to be involved with the Institute."

- Katherine Carey, Stanford Law School, Douglass Fellow Class of 2017-18

Have questions about the Douglass Fellowship? Contact Alyssa Currier.

Douglass Fellows Landing