The Notre Dame Law School Program on Church, State & Society has awarded 2025 summer fellowships to Haley Palumbo, Stephanie Athanas, and Paul Szmanda.

The Summer Fellowship Program places Notre Dame Law students with religiously affiliated legal institutions across the country, giving them hands-on legal experience in areas such as religious liberty, immigration, and nonprofit governance. The fellowships include a living stipend to support each student during the summer.

Haley Palumbo

Placement: Office of General Counsel, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Washington, D.C.

“This summer, I’ll be working at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., helping with legal and policy research on issues like immigration, religious liberty, and human dignity,” said Palumbo. “These are causes close to my heart, and I’m grateful for the chance to support the Church’s mission in a hands-on way. I hope to build a legal career rooted in public service and faith-based advocacy, and this experience will be a huge step toward that. It’s not only helping me grow professionally, but an affirmation that my goals and values are seen, supported, and shared.”

Palumbo received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, where she majored in political science and women’s studies. She is a summa cum laude graduate and recipient of the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award. At Notre Dame Law School, she has served as a representative of the Women’s Legal Forum and previously interned for the ACLU of Southern California and the U.S. House of Representatives. Her long-term interests include faith-based advocacy and public service, especially around immigration and human dignity.

Stephanie Athanas

Placement: Office of General Counsel, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Washington, D.C.

“I am honored to receive a Summer Fellowship from the Church, State & Society Program, which provides me with the opportunity to intern with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C.,” said Athanas. “Working alongside attorneys with diverse practice areas—including education, immigration, religious liberty, civil rights, and pro-life issues—within the context of church-state relations will provide invaluable experience as I continue exploring the intersection of law, religion, and policy.”

Athanas holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University, both awarded with distinction. At Notre Dame Law School, she is a Sorin Fellow and has served as a representative for the Saint Thomas More Society and Jus Vitae. She is also a member of the Federalist Society and the Women’s Legal Forum. Athanas previously worked as a CEO and physical therapist, and has volunteered as a minister, wedding officiant, and poll worker.

Paul Szmanda

Placement: Office of Legal Services, Archdiocese of Chicago

“I’ll be working at the Office of Legal Services for the Archdiocese of Chicago. They have attorneys specializing in everything from immigration and tax law to litigation and real estate,” said Szmanda. “As someone going straight from undergrad into law school, this fellowship gives me a crucial first opportunity to explore legal work in the public-interest and religious sector. It also provides access to a network I wouldn’t otherwise have discovered.”

Szmanda received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Illinois, with minors in legal studies, business, and public health. At Notre Dame Law School, he participates in the Galilee Public Interest Immersion Program and is a member of the Federalist Society. He has been active in community outreach as a Bible study leader, retreat facilitator, and parish lector. He is also an anticipated participant in the Blackstone Legal Fellowship in summer 2025.

Jorge Barrera-Rojas, Visiting Assistant Professor and Rodes Fellow with the Program on Church, State & Society, said, “Each year, we’re honored to accompany a remarkable group of Notre Dame Law students who bring both intellectual excellence and spiritual depth to their summer placements. This year’s fellows exemplify that tradition. Their backgrounds in public service, faith-based leadership, and professional achievement reflect the kind of vocation-driven formation we strive to cultivate at Notre Dame.”

Richard Garnett, Paul J. Schierl/Fort Howard Corporation Professor of Law and Director of the Program, added, "The Program on Church, State & Society is pleased and proud to support the education and formation of our students through these summer fellowships. The fellows are blessed to have these opportunities to do important and engaging work in the religious-institutions field. This work will prepare them for a wide range of opportunities as they embark on their vocations in the law."

The Program on Church, State & Society — in collaboration with the Law School’s larger Religious Liberty Initiative — organizes a variety of opportunities for students, including the fellowship program which seeks to educate young lawyers about the relationship between law and religion. Past placements for summer fellows have included the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, the Catholic University of America, and the American Indian Catholic Schools Network, as well as archdiocese offices and churches in several cities.

Originally published by Notre Dame Law School at churchstate.nd.edu on May 30, 2025.