Mentorship, learning programs and a mandatory Fellow Summit in Washington, D.C., top orientation takeaways

Leaders at Equal Justice Works outlined professional-development opportunities available to the Class of 2026, including an inaugural alumni mentorship program and year‑round learning and networking. An EJW network manager said: "This is actually the 1st year we're launching this program, so you are part of our inaugural class of mentees," and added that mentors will reach out in the coming month.

Jessica Michak, manager of learning and development, described virtual and in‑person training opportunities, participation in partner-led sessions (the session named the American College of Trial Lawyers and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy as examples), a privileged membership to the Practicing Law Institute for training resources, and the Fellows Summit scheduled for Oct. 21–23 in Washington, D.C. She reminded fellows that summit registration and travel requests should be completed promptly and that "summit attendance is a mandatory part of your fellowship."

Communications staff led an elevator-pitch exercise to help fellows describe their projects succinctly to sponsors, reporters or community contacts; one fellow (identified as Hannah E) shared a sample pitch describing work at Zerek DC assisting Amharic-speaking community members with consumer protection issues.