Savanna Hoffman
Public interest law is a legal career path that focuses on advocating for underserved and underrepresented communities and promoting the public good. It involves working with organizations that address legal and social issues, such as impact litigation groups, legal services organizations, public defenders, and community development groups. Law students interested in public interest careers can gain practical experience through internships, externships, and clinical programs, where they work with low-income clients and learn about social justice and legal change. University student legal services can contribute to public interest by providing pro bono legal assistance to underserved communities, raising awareness of legal rights, and promoting access to justice. These services allow law students to develop practical skills and gain hands-on experience while addressing the legal needs of those who may not otherwise have access to legal representation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Public interest law is about access to justice and legal representation for underserved and underrepresented communities. |
| Nature of work | Public interest lawyers handle matters that reflect broad areas of public concern, from housing discrimination to child welfare, civil rights, environmental law, and disability rights. |
| Work settings | Public interest groups, government organizations, and public interest work by law firms. |
| Who it serves | Public interest lawyers serve clients who may otherwise not have access to advocacy. These include low-income, unrepresented, and vulnerable individuals and communities. |
| Education | Law schools offer a wide range of courses, seminars, externships, practicums, and clinical programs related to public interest law. |
| Career opportunities | Public interest positions are coveted opportunities that require dedication and skill. Competition for public interest jobs is strong, and lawyers who pursue these careers find a deep sense of personal and professional satisfaction in their work. |
| Salary | Salaries in public interest law tend to be lower compared to other legal sectors due to funding constraints. |
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What You'll Learn
Student internships and volunteer opportunities
Students interested in gaining experience in public interest law have a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities available to them. Many universities offer internships and externships that allow students to work with public interest organisations and gain practical experience in the field. For example, Columbia Law School offers internships and externships with New York City-based organisations like the ACLU, the United Nations, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Yale Law School encourages students to take advantage of public interest job boards like PSJD and Idealist, which list internships and fellowships at public interest organisations.
Students can also find volunteer and internship opportunities with public defender's offices, such as the Baltimore City Public Defender, which offers volunteer experiences for current students, law school graduates, paralegals, and attorneys. The Maryland Office of the Public Defender's Baltimore City office provides an unmatched exposure to the criminal justice system in one of the country's busiest urban jurisdictions. The State's Attorney's Office for Baltimore City also offers an undergraduate internship program designed to cultivate interest in the role of a prosecutor.
Additionally, students can explore opportunities with government organisations at the federal, state, and local levels. The US Department of Justice, for instance, offers volunteer legal internships for first-year law students. The Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Environment and Natural Resources Division also have field offices in various cities across the country that may provide internship opportunities.
Other volunteer and internship programs include the Refugee Youth Project, which provides academic tutoring and acculturation support to refugees, and the Johns Hopkins Jail Tutorial Project, which offers tutoring in various subjects to incarcerated individuals. The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) also offers a list of paid public interest law internship opportunities and postgraduate fellowship postings.
Students interested in gaining experience in public interest law should also consider taking relevant coursework in trial advocacy, social justice, criminal justice, and political science, as well as participating in advocacy competitions and joining student public interest organisations.
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Student-led journals and externships
Yale Law School also offers various opportunities for students to get involved in public interest work. For instance, students can take advantage of New York City-based internships and volunteer opportunities with organizations such as the ACLU, the United Nations, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Each year, a large percentage of the graduating class exceeds their 40-hour pro bono graduation requirement by working on projects such as helping transgender clients with legal name changes and assisting refugees.
Through student-led journals, law students can explore different practice settings and issue areas that interest them. They can also join relevant student organizations and participate in advocacy competitions to gain experience in public interest law. Additionally, students can seek out internships with legal aid offices or public interest law firms to work directly with low-income clients and better understand their needs.
Externships and internships in public interest law provide valuable opportunities for law students to gain practical skills and build relationships with lawyers and other professionals in the field. These experiences can help students develop a better understanding of the social injustices and inequalities that affect marginalized communities and learn how to use the legal system to promote the public good. By working with underserved populations, students can make a positive impact while also gaining valuable experience that can enhance their career prospects.
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Student pro bono projects
University student legal services can be considered public interest if they meet the definition of public interest law: 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.
The Civil Rights Law Project (CRLP) at Penn Carey Law
The Civil Rights Law Project (CRLP) is a pro bono project that protects and promotes civil rights and social justice. Students can get involved by conducting legal research for partner organisations dedicated to advancing and protecting civil rights, such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This project offers students the opportunity to gain experience in legal analysis, research, and writing, while also contributing to social change.
Compassionate Release Collaborative (CRC) at Penn Carey Law
The Compassionate Release Collaborative (CRC) is another pro bono project at Penn Carey Law that assists seriously ill incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania's state prisons. Students can help with client interviewing, preparing compassionate release petitions, and even advocating on behalf of clients in court as certified legal interns. This project addresses the well-being of a vulnerable population, which falls under the umbrella of public interest.
Externships at Yale Law School
Yale Law School offers externships, which are field-based learning opportunities, at various organisations in New York City, such as the ACLU, the United Nations, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Students can gain hands-on experience while also contributing to public interest causes. For example, students have worked on projects such as helping transgender clients with legal name changes and assisting refugees.
Public Education Policy Lab-Seminar at Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School offers a semester-long intensive programme focused on transformational change in public education. This programme aligns with public interest as it aims to improve outcomes for all children, addressing their well-being and rights. Students can gain valuable skills in education policy and advocacy through this programme.
Social Impact Projects at BPP University Law School
BPP University Law School encourages students to use their skills to deliver Social Impact projects, providing professional services such as legal advice, administrative support, or community outreach. Students can reflect on their experiences and track their progress through the Skills Builder tool, earning digital badges to showcase their development. These projects allow students to make a positive impact while also gaining practical skills.
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Student clinical courses
Clinical courses are a vital component of a student's journey, offering practical skills training and real-world exposure. For law students, clinical courses can take the form of internships, externships, and practicums, providing valuable experience in public interest law.
Law School Clinical Courses
Law schools like Columbia Law School offer a range of experiential learning opportunities, including clinics, externships, and practicums, which allow students to link research with practice. These courses enable students to work directly with clients and legal professionals, gaining insights into public interest law and social justice advocacy.
For example, Columbia Law School students have the opportunity to work with various New York City-based organizations, such as the ACLU, the United Nations, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, providing legal aid and contributing to social change.
Clinical Courses in Medical Education
For pre-medical students, clinical courses are essential for developing a strong medical school application. These courses provide students with clinical experience, allowing them to work directly with patients and healthcare professionals.
One example of a clinical course is the online "Courses in Clinical Research" offered annually by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This course includes pre-recorded lectures, discussion boards, and a final exam, covering the infrastructure and steps involved in performing clinical research.
Additionally, students can gain clinical experience through medical scribing, EMT training, or clinical volunteering, which offer immersive experiences in healthcare settings and contribute to a deeper understanding of patient care.
Benefits of Clinical Courses
Clinical courses offer students numerous benefits, including:
- Gaining practical skills: Clinical courses provide an opportunity to develop essential skills such as communication, empathy, and cultural competence, which are vital for effective patient care and legal practice.
- Real-world exposure: Students can apply their knowledge in real-world settings, working with clients or patients and understanding the challenges and rewards of their chosen field.
- Exploring career paths: Clinical courses allow students to explore different practice areas and issue specializations, helping them make informed career decisions.
- Building professional connections: Through clinical courses, students can network with legal professionals, alumni, and mentors, fostering relationships that can provide guidance and future opportunities.
In conclusion, student clinical courses play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. By participating in these courses, students not only enhance their skills but also gain valuable experience, build professional networks, and develop a deeper understanding of their chosen field, whether it be in law or medicine.
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Student public interest organisations
Many law schools have student-run public interest organisations that actively contribute to their communities. For example, American University has several such organisations, including the Equal Justice Foundation, Immigrants' Rights Coalition, and the Environmental Law Society. These groups provide direct assistance to clients, raise funds for fellowships, and address issues such as human rights, environmental law, and immigration law.
At Columbia Law School, students have the opportunity to participate in externships and clinics, as well as student-led journals and organisations focused on public interest issues. They can also take advantage of internships and volunteer opportunities in New York City, such as with the ACLU, the United Nations, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.
Yale Law School also offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including clinics, externships, and practicums. Students can explore different practice settings and issue areas, and participate in advocacy competitions and student public interest organisations.
Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) are another example of student public interest organisations. PIRGs are a federation of U.S. and Canadian non-profit organisations that employ grassroots organising and direct advocacy on issues such as consumer protection, public health, and transportation. They have a history of emerging on college campuses and using student fees as a funding source.
Through these student public interest organisations, law students can make a positive impact in their communities, gain valuable experience, and develop a better understanding of the legal needs of underserved populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Public interest law 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 marginalized populations. It is about access to justice and legal representation for underserved and underrepresented communities.
Public interest groups are commonly nonprofit organizations or government organizations. Examples include impact litigation groups, legal services organizations, public defenders, policy centers, community development groups, and international public interest organizations.
University students can get involved in public interest law by participating in clinical programs, externships, internships, and volunteer opportunities. They can also take courses related to public interest law, such as social justice, history, criminal justice, and political science. Additionally, students can join student organizations and participate in pro bono projects.
