Public Interest
There are many types of employment in the area of public interest. These include working for a public policy center, public interest law firm, membership organization, legal aid society, or direct legal services employer. Most of the positions either effect policy change or represent underserved populations including the poor, elderly, children, immigrants and prisoners. Public interest law organizations look for students and future lawyers who are committed to their issues and causes. Public interest work in the most well-known national employers are more competitive than lesser-known or local organizations. Those who wish to enter the field should cast a wide net within their area of interest and consider numerous types of job prospects. Many entry level positions are obtained through post-graduate public interest fellowships. To discuss fellowships please contact a counselor. The fellowship process is very specific and targeted and you should meet with a counselor early in your law school career for employment strategies.
It is important to lay a foundation in the public interest community. This can be done through developing credentials by taking clinics and other classes that have a public interest focus. Many of these are taught by practitioners who have great contacts. You should take part in the Pro Bono Program and obtain internships through the summer and school-year in public interest programs. The externship and Asper Fellowship program offer the option to obtain credit for unpaid public interest employment.
Additionally, since many employers are unable to pay students for summer work, the Maryland Public Interest Law Project (MPILP) offers a variety of grants for students who volunteer year-round. There are also many bar associations and other groups that provide summer funding and a comprehensive list can be found on PSLAWNET. The School of Law and the state of Maryland also offer Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP). Contact Teresa Schmiedeler, Director of Pro Bono and Public Service Initiatives, for more information about those programs.
RESOURCES
- Serving the Public: A Job Search Guide ( Vol. 1– USA; Vol. 2– International) (in the CDO Library)
- PSLAWNET
- Equal Justice Works
- Washington Council of Lawyers Public Service Directory (in the CDO Library)
More on Employment and Practice Sectors
- Law Firms
- Government
- Public Interest
- Judicial Clerkships
- Corporations and Businesses
- Trade Associations
- Academia
