In the News

Fellow Tanner Zumwalt Releases Report, Delivers Speech on Columbia Childcare Crisis

MARCH 10, 2020

Tanner Zumwalt, Davis Polk Fellow '19-'20, has released a report on the lack of childcare support by Columbia University. His report includes the current state of support at the university, including relevant policies and initiatives, the state of similar programs at peer universities, and proposals for future action at Columbia. Zumwalt also delivered a speech on the state of student-parents at Columbia to the University Senate. 

To watch his speech, click here. To read the full report, click here.

Meet the 2019-2020 Davis Polk Leadership Fellows

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

Now in its second year, the Davis Polk Leadership Fellowship program provides leadership training, mentorship, and a stipend to six students pursuing projects and activities designed to have a positive impact on the Law School, the legal profession, and the larger community. Throughout the year, fellows develop their projects and receive personalized coaching from faculty, staff, and alumni in areas related to their interests. In turn, through their projects and their work as a group, the fellows support other students and cultivate a culture of leadership at the Law School and in the wider community. Fellowships are awarded to one or two students from each J.D. class plus one LL.M. student.

To read the full article, click here.

University Senate launches Childcare Affordability Initiative to support student-parents

BY GRIFFIN JONES AND VALERIA ESCOBAR | NOVEMBER 11, 2019, 3:10 AM

Current Leadership Fellow Tanner Zumwalt: “When you have public universities like SUNY [and] CUNY … offering subsidized on-campus childcare and Columbia’s offering nothing, Columbia’s saying that student-parents do not need to apply here. [It’s saying] student-parents who are disproportionately women, single mothers, persons of color, people with incredibly diverse life experiences, you don’t need to come to Columbia."

To read the full article, click here.

Indian Women's Rights Advocate Named 2018 Baker McKenzie Scholar

NOVEMBER 7, 2018, 3:10 AM

Meher Dev ’19 LL.M., a 2018-2019 Leadership Fellow, was awarded $50,000 as a Baker McKenzie Scholar.

To read the full article, click here.

Student Leaders Launch Social Impact Projects

NOVEMBER 19, 2018, 3:10 AM

Whether they realize it or not, students already have it in them to be leaders when they arrive at Columbia Law School, says Professor Susan Sturm, who is spearheading Columbia’s multifaceted Leadership Initiative, supported by a founding gift from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. “They are already playing roles that require them to influence, persuade, engage in difficult conversations, and work effectively with others to achieve a common goal. That is the definition of leadership.”

To read the full article, click here.

Columbia Law School Announces New Davis Polk Leadership Fellowship

NOVEMBER 7, 2018

A new fellowship that cultivates leadership and collaboration has been awarded to six students as part of Columbia Law School’s recently launched Davis Polk Leadership Initiative. The recipients of the inaugural Davis Polk Leadership Fellowship each have the opportunity to launch a collaborative project designed to have a positive impact on the Law School, the profession, and the larger community. The fellows also receive a $5,000 stipend and leadership coaching and personalized mentorship from faculty and alumni.

To read the full article, click here.

Leadership Training Initiative Launches

NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Cross-disciplinary program funded by law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to include curriculum and case studies that prepare students to lead.

Columbia Law School announced today a cross-disciplinary initiative designed to prepare students to succeed as leaders in a wide range of sectors.

Funded by a startup grant from the law firm Davis Polk, the initiative will include courses and workshops, case studies, research, and professional development to build leadership knowledge and skills for both the private and public sectors worldwide.

To read the full article, click here.