JACKSON, Miss. – State Auditor Shad White announced today that his office has established the new “Defend the ‘Sip Fellowship” for law graduates awaiting training to join the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps in the military. The fellowship gives graduates a chance to get hands-on, real-world experience working on legal matters for the Office of the State Auditor between the time they graduate law school and the time they become a military service member.
“As a service member myself, I’m excited about bringing these talented young people onto our team,” said Auditor White. “We will benefit from their energy and skill, and hopefully after they finish their military service, they will return to Mississippi and make our state’s future even brighter.”
The Defend the ‘Sip Fellowship will be open to all Mississippi law graduates or upcoming graduates who have been accepted to the JAG Corps. The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) also has a “Stay in the ‘Sip Fellowship” which pays for the final years of accounting school for graduates who agree to work for a minimum of two years at OSA upon graduation.
“It seemed like such a waste to have motivated, disciplined young lawyers sitting and waiting to be shipped off to their first duty station,” said White, “so we created a program that will benefit both parties.”
The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor is proud to work alongside Mississippi College (MC) on recruiting talented graduates for this fellowship. Mississippi College has the largest percentage of graduates who join the JAG Corps of any law school in Mississippi.
“This will help MC Law with meeting the needs our JAG graduates often encounter during the in-between time,” said MC School of Law. “Having structured temporary placement opportunities such as this will no doubt be utilized and appreciated.”
Learn more about the Defend the ‘Sip Fellowship by emailing Jason.Hackett@osa.ms.gov or by calling (601) 576-2616.