Exploring The Public Interest Nature Of University Legal Services

University student legal services can be considered public interest work, as they often involve providing legal aid to those who cannot afford it, such as low-income individuals or marginalised populations. This type of work falls under the umbrella of public interest law, which is defined as anything affecting the well-being, rights, health, or finances of the public at large.

Many universities offer pro bono programs or requirements, which allow students to gain hands-on experience in public interest law while providing much-needed support to underserved communities. These programs often involve legal services such as litigation, class-action work, policy development, community organising, and direct legal aid.

Additionally, universities may have student-led organisations or groups dedicated to public interest law, allowing students to enhance their academic experience by contributing directly to the public interest and gaining leadership skills. These groups often engage in service projects, such as fundraising for summer public interest fellowships or sponsoring food drives for the poor.

Overall, university student legal services can be considered public interest work, as they aim to serve the public good and promote social justice.

The role of public interest law firms

Public interest law firms are private, for-profit entities that primarily serve the public good and promote social justice. They are committed to advocating for underrepresented communities and addressing systemic inequalities to ensure equal access to justice. These firms handle cases with broader societal implications, going beyond individual legal disputes. They often work on issues related to social justice, civil rights, and environmental protection.

Public interest law firms engage in litigation, legal education, and policy advocacy. They provide legal representation to underserved communities, empower individuals to advocate for themselves, and foster a culture of legal awareness. These firms also collaborate with non-profit organizations and governmental bodies to enhance their capacity to address systemic injustices and influence policy changes.

Public interest law firms differ from traditional private law firms in their focus on social impact rather than purely financial gains. They are driven by a social justice mission and are more likely to represent disadvantaged individuals and groups. While public interest firms charge clients for their services, they also offer reduced rates, sliding scales, or pro bono work.

Public interest law firms offer a range of legal services, including criminal defense litigation, labour law, employment discrimination cases, civil rights litigation, and environmental protection. They may also provide legal assistance to marginalized populations globally, advocate for refugee rights, and combat human trafficking.

Public interest work by law firms

Many private firms provide opportunities to practice public service law through pro bono programs. These programs may allow, or require, attorneys to do a certain number of hours of court-appointed work or to collaborate on cases with a local or national public interest organization. The formats of these programs differ widely, as do the levels of commitment and organization on the part of the firm.

Public interest law firms are often not profitable, so they may also take on other types of matters to pay the bills. Their typical areas of practice include plaintiffs' employment discrimination, civil rights, criminal defense, environmental law, and disability rights.

Public interest groups

Impact Litigation Groups

Impact litigation groups are devoted to achieving widespread legal and social change. They focus on advocating for marginalized populations and those living in poverty by taking on class-action work, policy, legislation, and community organizing.

Legal Services Organizations

Legal services organizations provide direct assistance to clients who lack the financial resources to pay for legal counsel. They often work with indigent individuals and focus on impact litigation that affects a large number of people.

Public Defenders

Public defenders provide criminal defense to individuals who cannot afford counsel. They ensure that people have access to justice and quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Policy Centers

Policy centers are involved in policy, legislation, and community organizing. They work to influence and shape policies that will positively impact marginalized communities and advance social justice.

Community Development Groups

Community development groups focus on service projects such as raising funds for summer public interest fellowships or sponsoring food drives for the poor. They aim to enhance the academic experience of law students by allowing them to contribute directly to the public interest and gain leadership experience.

International Public Interest Organizations

International public interest organizations address a broad range of issues on a global scale. They include international NGOs and human rights agencies that work to promote and protect human rights worldwide.

Public interest careers

Public interest law is a cornerstone of every attorney's professional development and responsibilities. It is defined as anything affecting the well-being, rights, health, or finances of the public at large, most commonly advocating for those living in poverty or marginalised populations.

There are many reasons to pursue a career in public interest law: a dedication to a cause, the ability to make a difference, or the desire to take on significant responsibility early on in your career. Public interest careers encompass a wide array of practice areas, including litigation, class-action work, policy, legislation, and community organising.

Where Can You Work?

You could work at a direct legal service provider such as Legal Aid, helping indigent individuals, or focus on impact litigation that affects a large number of people. You could work for a non-profit organisation, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), or a public interest law firm. Other options include working for federal, state, or local government, as well as in public defender or prosecutor offices.

Skills and Experience

Because public interest organisations often do not have the resources to train new attorneys, employers in this field value critical practical experience and students should gain as much professional skills training as possible while in school.

University Support

Many universities have offices devoted to nurturing students who are interested in exploring public interest work. They provide professional development, career services, and other support for students and graduates. They also oversee key programs such as summer funding programs, postgraduate fellowships, and loan repayment assistance programs.

Extracurricular Activities

There are countless opportunities to participate in public interest and public service activities beyond the classroom. These include getting involved in public service work through student-led journals and a diverse array of student organisations, as well as honing skills while engaging in issues pertaining to racial, economic, and social justice in specialised moot courts.

Pro Bono Work

Many universities have mandatory pro bono programs to ensure that every student devotes a certain number of hours to public interest law service.

Postgraduate public service financial support

Postgraduate students can access a range of financial support options for public service, including fellowships, grants, scholarships, and funding from universities and external organisations.

Fellowships

Postgraduate public service fellowships are offered by various universities and organisations to support students' public interest projects and careers. Examples include:

• Postgraduate Public Service Fellowship from Harvard University, which provides stipends of up to $37,500 for projects lasting between 3 and 12 months.
• Postgraduate Financial Assistance Fund from the University of Cambridge, which offers awards of up to £3,000 for full-time postgraduate students and £1,500 for part-time students facing unforeseen financial difficulties.
• Public Interest Law Student Organisation (PILSO) from Pace University's Elisabeth Haub School of Law, which helps law students gain valuable experience by providing financial support for internships with public interest organisations.
• Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) from the University of Denver, which provides grants to law students who wish to work at summer public interest jobs that offer little to no pay.
• Public Interest Law Society (PILS) from Marquette University Law School, which provides summer fellowships and enhances public opinion of the legal profession through community service.
• Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA) from the University of Oklahoma, which educates students about public service careers and raises funds for summer public interest internships.
• Public Interest Law Student Association (PILA) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which promotes public interest and public service activities and provides summer grants to students working with underserved populations.
• Public Interest Law Association (PILA) from Ohio Northern University, which is committed to reducing financial barriers to working in public interest law by offering summer fellowships and educating students about career rewards.
• Public Interest Law Association (PILA) from Washburn University, which raises funds for summer stipends and supports students interested in public interest law.
• Public Interest Law Association (PILA) from Western New England University, which provides summer stipends to students with unpaid internships at nonprofit organisations and government agencies.
• Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) from Wake Forest University, which raises awareness of public interest law issues and encourages student participation through pro bono work, community service, and a summer stipend program.

Grants, Scholarships, and University Funding

In addition to fellowships, there are other financial support options available for postgraduate public service. These include:

• Grants and scholarships offered by organisations like the Phillips Brooks House Association, which provides grants of up to $40,000 to Harvard seniors dedicated to public service.
• University funding provided by institutions like the University of Cambridge, which offers the Postgraduate Financial Assistance Fund to support current postgraduate students facing unforeseen financial difficulties.
• Financial support from external organisations, such as Equal Justice Works, which offers a post-graduate fellowship program funded by annual donations from law firms, corporations, and foundations.

Other Opportunities

Beyond fellowships, grants, scholarships, and university funding, there are additional ways for postgraduate students to access financial support for public service:

• Public Service Recruiting Day, hosted by Harvard University's Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, connects leading public service organisations with students for interviews and discussions about post-graduate employment and fellowships.
• Office of Career Services (OCS) at the Institute of Politics, which informs students about job opportunities and ways to serve in the public sector.
• Mignone Center for Career Success at Harvard University, which offers funding for students to pursue post-graduate experiences in public service through fellowships and other opportunities.
• Student Public Interest Groups, present in most law schools and often affiliated with Equal Justice Works, enhance the academic experience by allowing law students to contribute directly to public interest and gain leadership experience.

Frequently asked questions