Law School Public Interest Programs - Student Public Interest Groups
Women’s Law Caucus (WLC)
Phi Alpha Delta
Student Lawyer’s Guild
Public Interest Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Cardozo Legal Society
Intellectual Property Law Society
Moot Court Program
Tax Law Society
American University Washington College of Law
Action for Human Rights - Host weekly Action for Human Rights Coffee Hour.
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Black Law Students Association
Christian Legal Society
Criminal Law Brief
Criminal Law Society
Election Protection
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Foundation
Held Public Interest Auction
Health Law and Justice Project
Human Rights Brief
Intellectual Property Law Society
International Law Society
Islamic Legal Forum
Israel & Law Society
Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law
Labor and Employment Law Society
Lambda Law Society
Latina/Latino Law Students Association
LINK - Provide weekly mentor-tutoring with middle and high school students in SE Washington, DC
National Lawyers Guild
Street Law Program
Students United - Tutor and mentor kids at Oak Hill, advocate for them once released
The Modern American
Women's Law Association
ASL is a member of Equal Justice Works.
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Barry University School of Law
Boston University School of Law
Black Law Students Association - Visited area high schools to talk to minority and disadvantaged students about law study and the practice of law. BLSA also organized a high school mentoring program.
National Lawyers Guild Chapter
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
- Public Interest Law Forum (Equal Justice Works group)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
- American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
- Government & Politics Legal Society
- Natural Resources Law Society
California Western School of Law
- Amnesty International
- Child, Family & Elder Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Health Law Society
- La Raza Law Student Association
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Pride Law
- Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
- Student Bar Association
- Women's Law Caucus
Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
- Project Innocence
- Law Students Civil Rights Research Council
- Project for Older Prisoners (POPS)
- Public Interest and Government Law Association
- Environmental Law Society
- VITA
Case Western Reserve University Law School
Catholic University of America School of Law
Chapman University School of Law
Public Interest Law Foundation - PILF holds a silent auction every spring to raise funds for summer grants to students doing public interest work. PILF also puts on a variety of lunchtime panels throughout the school year to educate students about public interest careers and pro bono opportunities.
http://www.chapman.edu/law/students/PILF/default.asp
City University of New York Law at Queens College
American Constitution Law Society
Black Law Students Association
Criminal Law Society
CUNY Contemplative Urban Law Program
CUNY Labor Coalition for Workers & Economic Justice
CUNY OUTlaws Irish Law Students Association -Latin American Law Association
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law
American Constitution Society
Asian Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Bone Marrow Drive Committee
Children's Advocacy Law Society
Environmental Law & Policy Review
Federalist Society
Institute of Bill of Rights Law Student Division
Lesbian and Gay Law Association
Military Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta
Public Service Fund
Student Bar Association
Students for Equality in Legal Education
Columbia University School of Law
ACLU Columbia Law School Chapter
African Law Student Society
American Constitution Society
Amnesty International
Asian Pacific Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Civil Rights Law Society
Columbia Coalition for Life
Columbia Law Women's Association
Criminal Justice Action Network
Domestic Violence Project
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
For Enacting a Humane Drug Policy (FEHDP)
IMPACT
Just Democracy - Active only in 04-50
Latino/a Law Students Association
Muslim Law Student Association
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Student Association
Outlaws
Public Interest Law Foundation
Rightslink
Society for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Society of Law, Health and Bioethics
Student Alliance for Gender Equality
Youth Justice Association
American Constitution Society
Black Law Students Association
Christian Legal Society
Jewish Legal Society
Cornell Law Students for Human Rights
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Latino American Law Students Association
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students Association
Public Interest Law Union
Society of Law and the Arts
Students for Marriage Equality
Creighton University School of Law
BLSA/LLSA - Volunteers at Justice for Our Neighbors
Public Interest Law Forum
- Street Law
- Teen Court
- Court Appointed Special Advocates
Student Bar Association - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
DePaul University College of Law
ACLU - Raises awareness of various public interest/human rights issues
American Constitution Society - Hosts speakers and panel events
Amnesty International - Hosted events to raise awareness of international human rights issues
National Lawyers Guild - Hosted speakers, film discussions. Trained legal observers. Sponsored trip to School of the Americas Protest for law students.
Outlaws - Hosts events to raise awareness about legal issues concerning the gay community
Public Interest Law Association - Hosted speakers and panels; raised and distributed money to students working in public interest fields
Drake University School of Law
American Constitution Society
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
DAPIL
Drake Law Democrats
Drake Law Outlaws
Drake Law Republicans
Drake Law Women
Environmental Law Society
Hispanic Law Student Association
International Law Society
National Black Law Student Association
Public Interest Scholars
Student Bar Association
Student United for Consumer Advocacy
Students United for Consumer Advocacy
The Federalist Society
Drexel University College of Law
SPIN – Student Public Interest Network
Women Law Students Association
American Constitution Society
Black Law Students Association
Board of the Office of Public Interest & Pro Bono
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Support Project
Duke Bar Association Community Service Board
Duke Environmental & Policy Forum
Duke Law Democrats
Duke Law Journal
Duke Law Republicans
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law Society
Hispanic/Latino Law Students Association
Innocence Project
International Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Public Interest Law Foundation
Duquesne University School of Law
Christian Legal Society
Public Interest Law Association
Student Bar Association
Women's Law Association
Emory University School of Law
American Constitution Society
Emory Public Interest Committee
Student Legal Services
Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
All student organizations adopt a public service goal for the year, such as collecting items to donate to the local women's shelter, or to assist in disaster situations such as Hurricane Katrina.
The law school is a member of Equal Justice Works.
Florida A&M University College of Law
CAPIL
Florida International University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
American Civil Liberties Union
Black Law Students Association
Dispute Resolution Society
Environmental Law Society
National Organization for Women
OUTLaw
Public Interest Law Student Association
Spanish-American Law Students Association
Tallahassee Bar Law Student Division (TBA) Women's Law Symposium
Fordham University School of Law
Con. Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta
Public Interest Coalition
George Mason University School of Law
George Washington University Law School
- Amnesty International Legal Support Group
- Criminal Law Society
- Domestic Violence Coalition
- Environmental Law Association
- Equal Justice Foundation (the Equal Justice Works student chapter)
- Lambda Law
- National Lawyers Guild
- Street Law.
Georgetown University Law Center
ACLU
AIDS Law Movement
American Constitution Society
Criminal Justice Association
Death Penalty Project
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Georgetown Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Minorities for the Public Interest
National Lawyers Guild
Outlaw
Students Against the Death Penalty
The Equal Justice Foundation
Women Legal Alliance
Georgia State University College of Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
American Constitution Society (ACS)
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Environmental Law Society
Law Students for Choice
National Lawyers Guild
Public Interest Law Foundation
QLSA
Women’s Law Association
Gonzaga University School of Law
Environmental Law Caucus
Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project
Just Democracy
Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance
Student Bar Association
Tax Law Society - VITA
Thomas More Scholars
Women's Law Caucus
Hamline University School of Law
African Law Association (HALA)
Alliance for Independent Feminists (AIF)
American Constitution Society (ACS)
Asia Law Society (HALS)
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Big Brother Big Sister
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Child and Youth Advocates
Direct Action Against Poverty
Environmental Law Society
Forum on Local Govt. and Politics
Gender Justice Working Group
Harvard Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy
HLS ACLU
HLS Democrats
HLS KSG Association for Law and Policy
HLS Republicans
HLS Veterans Association
Immigration Project
Just Democracy
Kids in the Court
Labor and Employment Action Law Project (LEAP)
Lambda
Latin American Law Society
Law Students for Choice
Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
Multiracial Law Students Assn.
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
Project on Wrongful Convictions
Recording Artists Project
South Asian Law Students Assn.
StopDV
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
Student Public Interest Network (SPIN)
Tax Help Club
Women's Law Association (WLA)
Hofstra University School of Law
The Public Justice Foundation (PJF) is the Law School's public interest law student organization. The objectives of PJF are twofold: first, to raise awareness about public sector law practice by facilitating student employment in the area; and second, to expose the Law School community to important legal issues through debate and discussion. PJF holds various fundraisers, including an annual service auction, which fund summer fellowships for Hofstra Law School students who take nonpaying jobs in the public sector that they otherwise would be unable to accept due to financial constraints. In furtherance of its second objective, PJF has sponsored debates and other educational programs
Howard University School of Law
- HPILS (Howard Public Interest Law Society)
- Black Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
- Sports and Entertainment Law Association
- International Law Society
- La Alianza
- OUTLAW
- ACLU chapter
- The Barrister
- Epsilon Sigma Iota
- Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity
- Phi Delta Phi Fraternity
Illinois Institute of Technology: Chicago-Kent College of Law
Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) - Approximately 10 students receive grants from the student-run Kent Justice Foundation, ranging from $500-$4500 for ten weeks of public interest work in the summer. This fundraising is supported through a student-run spring auction and a fall wine event, as well as additional support from the Faculty, the Student Bar Association, and the Dean. Through KJF students volunteer with the Self-Help Web Desk at the Daley Center/Circuit Court of Cook County. At the Daley Center students assist pro se litigants by helping them access legal resources so that they can effectively represent themselves in court. This project is coordinated through Chicago-Kent's Center for Access to Justice and Technology, with student organization support.
Streetlaw - In partnership with a Chicago Public school, a group of students develop and conduct streetlaw educational programming to teach young people what their legal rights are when they face arrest or questioning. This group also works in collaboration with First Defense Legal Aid, a local non-profit, to assist with streetlaw educational activities.
National Lawyers Guild (NLG) - The National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. They seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests. The NLG student group at Chicago-Kent is active in training students to be legal observers when there are protests or controversial trials taking place in the Chicago area.
Access to Justice Student Editorial Board- is a student-staffed initiative aimed at researching and supporting access to justice projects, including A2J Author projects and other internet related projects.
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association - Students participate in a monthly clinic opportunity at Asian Human Services.
Black Law Students Association - This law student group conducts one major and one minor community service activity every semester.
Chicago-Kent's Environmental Law Society (ELS)focuses on enhancing Chicago-Kent's profile as one of the top-rated environmental law schools. The group promotes sustainability within the law school and helps others do the same; raises eco-consciousness, and encourages personal sustainability throughout the student body. They also supports students financially in their quest to serve the environment and contribute to the enhancement of the environmental law curriculum.
The International Law Student Association holds program on international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. Chicago-Kent has an international nation-building project in Kosovo and Bosnia that students participate in though travel to those countries and assistance in nation-building there.
Student Bar Association (SBA) - the SBA participates in the Walk Against Breast Cancer and other volunteer fundraising initiatives every year.
Society of Women in Law (WIL) - WIL stages an annual production of the Vagina Monologues with contributions going to Rape Victims Advocates. They also provide law students with summer fellowship opportunities & mentors.
Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
Equal Justice Works – Homelessness Awareness panel discussion that attracted over 100 students, community members, and attorneys.
Inter American University of Puerto Rico: Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law
John Marshall Law School – Atlanta
Lewis & Clark College School of Law
ACLU Student Group – Student rallies
Criminal Law Society – Speaker series
Environmental Law Caucus – Speaker series
Student Animal Defense Fund – Speaker series and Conference
The Public Interest Law Project – Auction
Liberty University School of Law
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Black Law Student Association
Student Bar Association
Students Helping Others
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Loyola Law School: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Public Interest Law Foundation - PILF is a student-run, non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the careers of law students who choose to work in public interest law by promoting legal employment and involvement opportunities to combat social, political and economic injustices.
Loyola University Chicago: Loyola University Chicago School of Law
American Civil Liberities Union
American Constitution Society
Asian American Law Student Association
Black Law Student Association
Business Law Society
Catholic Laywer's Guild
Child Law Society
Decalogue
Elder Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law Society
Justinian Society
Latino American Law Student Association
Loyola LAMBDA
Loyola Law Republicans
National Lawyers Guild
Public Interest Law Society
Women's Law Society
Loyola University New Orleans: Loyola University New Orleans School of Law
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Loyola Public Interest Law Group
Spanish American Law Students Association (SALSA)
St. Thomas More Society
Marquette University Law School
Public Interest Law Society
The purpose of the PILS is to act as a resource for Marquette University Law School (MULS) students interested in public interest law, and to stimulate interest in this area of law. This purpose shall be carried out by sponsoring programs, seminars, and social activities that deal with current topics in public interest law and by acquainting members with professionals in the community. The PILS is also dedicated to providing community service and enhancing public opinion of the profession.
Other student organizations which are involved with community service include:
Association for Women in the Law
The Black Law Students Association
Children and Family Law Society
Christian Legal Society
The Health Law Society
The Student Bar Association
Mercer University School of Law
- Public Interest Law Society
Michigan State University College of Law
Contact Information for groups above without websites: http://www.law.msu.edu/directory.php#student
Mississippi College: Mississippi College School of Law
New England School of Law: New England School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union Chapter
Children’s Law Society
Environmental Law Society
National Lawyers Guild Chapter
Public Interest Law Association
Shelter Legal Services Foundation Chapter
Women’s Law Caucus
New York Law School: New York Law School
Domestic Violence Project– Food and Toy Drive
Public Interest Coalition (PIC) – Annual Goods and Service Auction, staffed soup kitchen
New York University: New York University School of Law
In addition to the Student-Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects described in detail above, the following student groups are active in public interest issues. Please see www.law.nyu.edu/studentorgs/sba/organizations.html for a complete list of student groups.
- American Constitution Society
- Coalition for Legal Recruitment
- Cuba Legal Studies Group
- Dean’s Cup
- Environmental Law Society
- Federalist Society
- International Law Society
- Law Students for Reproductive Justice
- National Lawyers Guild
- OUTLaw
- Practice
- Project on Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
- Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
- Public Service Auction
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Student Bar Association
North Carolina Central University School of Law
ACLU Chapter
Environmental Law Society
Hispanic Law Students Association
Student Bar Association
Women’s Caucus
Northeastern University: Northeastern University School of Law
Cooperative Income Sharing Program
National Lawyers Guild
Queer Caucus
Shelter Legal Services
Student Global AIDS Campaign
Northern Illinois University: Northern Illinois University College of Law
Public Interest Law Society - Marla Dickerson Chapter (Equal Justice Works chapter)
Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Northwestern University: Northwestern University School of Law
Advocates for Reproductive Freedom
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Constitution Society
Amnesty International
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Diversity Coalition
The D.R.E.A.M. Society
Environmental Law Society
The Federalist Society
Latino Law Students Association
Law School Democrats
National Lawyers Guild
OUTlaw
Public Interest Law Group
South Asian Law Students Association
St. Thomas More Society
Student Bar Association
Student Effort to Rejuvenate Volunteerism
Student Funded Public Interest Fellowship
Women’s Leadership Coalition
Notre Dame: Notre Dame Law School
- Asian Law Students Association
- Black Law Students of Notre Dame
- Christian Legal Society
- Environmental Law Society
- The Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Systems
- Hispanic American Law Association
- Irish Law Students Association
- Italian Law Students Association
- Jus Vitae of Notre Dame
- The Public Interest Law Forum
- Social Justice Forum
- Society of International Human Rights
- Student Bar Association, Community Services Division
- Women's Legal Forum.
Nova Southeastern University: Shepard Broad Law Center
Environmental Law Society
Public Interest Law Society
Student Animal Legal Defense Foundation
Ohio Northern Claude W. Pettit College of Law
Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
Advocates For Children – Sponsors a needy local family during the holidays and collects toys and money to be able to deliver items of clothing, toys and food to family.
Caribbean Law Students Association – Fundraised and donated to Tsunami Relief efforts.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund – Fundraised and donated to Pets Without Parents and local Humane Society.
Oklahoma City University: Oklahoma City University School of Law
Public Interest Law Group
American Constitution Society
Asian-American Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
International Law Society
National Lawyers Guild
PILSO
Women's Association of Law Students
Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law
Dickinson Law Public Interest Law Fund (PILF): Established by students in the fall of 1990, PILF is dedicated to promoting the practice of law in the public interest arena. PILF sponsors a summer fellowship program and hosts public interest events on campus to educate students about the rewarding career possibilities in public interest law. www.clubs.psu.edu/PILF.
ACLU: The revitalized student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is an active organization working towards protecting against the violation of civil liberties.
Amnesty International: The school has an active chapter of the worldwide human right organization.
Asian Pacific American Law Student’s Association: APALASA’s mission includes the promotion of diversity at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law as well as educating and advocating for Asian Pacific American issues.
Black Law Students Association:This organization is designed to promote the professional needs and desires of black law students and strives to provide and support numerous community service efforts in the Carlisle area.
Environmental Law Society: The Society performs community service activities related to environmental education and protection, sponsors Law School events to focus awareness on environmental issues, maintains an information board presenting news articles on current local, state, national, and world environmental issues, and hosts speakers and discussions.
Latino/a Law Student Association: Through the power of community, LLSA seeks to foster activism in all forms that seeks to improve conditions for the entire Latino population, which is now the nation's largest minority group.
Minority Law Students Association: Among other things, the MLSA works to foster and encourage a diverse community at Dickinson and to enable and support minority law students in achieving their goals.
Outlaw: Established by students in the spring of 2003, Outlaw strives to promote an atmosphere of diversity and tolerance in the Penn State Dickinson School of Law community by addressing legal, political, and social issues that affect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people in our society.
Project S.T.A.F.F.: Students Taking Action For the Furture is designed to is to provide the students of Penn State Dickinson with notice of, and opportunities for, community service in the surrounding Carlisle and Harrisburg areas.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA): This volunteer program, held in the spring, gives students a client counseling opportunity by helping local residents prepare their federal, state, and local income tax returns.
Women’s Law Caucus: This organization seeks to promote an awareness and understanding of the legal and social issues facing women and men today through discussion and education.
Pepperdine University: Odell McConnell Law Center
Advocates for Public Interest Law – (A) Provides Pepperdine students with opportunities for community service; (B) Makes students aware of career opportunities in public interest law; (C) Works to provide funding for students who wish to pursue careers in public interest law;(D) Encourages students to make pro bono work a part of their careers; and (E) Educates students with regard to the different areas of public interest law and its importance in the legal field
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Animal Law Society
Fundraiser for CT Humane Society Black Law Students Association
Thurgood Marshall Awards, Law education project in community middle school
Brehon Society
Constitutional Law Society
Democratic Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Family & Juvenile Law Society
Family Law Society
International Law Society
Law & Medicine Society
Legal Times/ATLA
Phi Alpha Delta
Probate Law Journal
Public Interest Law Project
SBA
Society for Dispute Resolution
Tax Law Society
Women's Law Society
Regent University: School of Law
Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent (PILAR)
Roger Williams University: Ralph R. Papitto School of Law
ACLU (student chapter)
Amnesty International
Association for Public Interest Law
Multi-Cultural Law Students Association
Pi Alpha Delta
Student Bar Association
The Alliance
The Environmental Law Society
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Center for Law and Justice (Newark)
Asian/Pacific-American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Association of Black Law Students (ABLS)
Association of Latin-American Law Students
Gay and Lesbian Caucus
Law Students for Choice
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
Rutgers ACLU
Rutgers International Law Society
Student Lawyers Guild
Women's Law Forum
Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey School of Law, Camden
American Constitution Society
Association for Public Interest Law (APIL)
Womens Law Society
Saint John's University School of Law
Saint Louis University: Saint Louis University School of Law
Black Law Student Association
Toys for Tots
Public Interest Law Group
Student Bar Association
Hurrican Katrina Relief, Blood Drives, Tax Assistantce Program
Women's Law Student Association
Project Angel Tree
Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio: St. Mary’s University of San Antonio School of Law
Public Interest Law Association
Saint Thomas University: St. Thomas University School of Law (FL)
- Black Law Student Association (provide legal services with Dade County Legal Aid)
- Catholic Student Lawyers Guild (provide legal aid)
- Environmental Law Society
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers (provide support for Women in DistressGuardian Ad Litem program and middle school law education program)
- Gay & Lesbian Law Student Association
- Hispanic American Law Society (provide immigration legal aid )
- Mock Trial Team (provide high school mock trial coaching)
- National Jewish Law Student Association
- Phi Alpha Delta (provide elementary school law education projects)
- Tax Law Society -VITA (student run tax preparation program for low income persons).
Samford University: Cumberland School of Law
- PILO (Equal Justice Works chapter)
- Environmental Law
- Wildlife Organization
- VITA
- Street Law Clinic through Alabama Center for Law & Civic Education
Santa Clara University: Santa Clara University School of Law
Bisexual Gay Lesbian Advocates
Black Law SA
Public Interest & Social Justice Coalition
Seattle University: Seattle University School of Law
American Constitutional Society (ACS)
Black Law Students Association
Dispute Resolution Board
Hispanic Organization for Legal Advancement (HOLA)
Labor and Employment Law Association
Outlaws
Public Interest Law Foundation
Student Bar Association (SBA)
Seton Hall University: Seton Hall University School of Law
American Constitutional Society (ACS)
Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
Health Law Forum
International Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
Public Interest Auction Committee
Public Interest Network (PIN)
Republicans
Student Bar Association
Student Outreach Society
South Texas College: South Texas College of Law
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Equal Justice Works
Law Day Event - (Providing Legal Services to the Community)
Law School Democrats
Law School Republicans
Lesbian and Gay Law Student Association
Phi Alpha Delta
Student Bar Association
Women's Law Forum
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Southern University Law Center
Southwestern University: Southwestern Law School
Black Law Students Association
Latino Law Students Association
SLS public interest student groups have a variety of purposes, from focusing on specific practice areas like Environmental Law and International Law, to addressing the needs and interest of traditionally underrepresented groups, like Native American law students and queer students. Please visit http://www.law.stanford.edu/students/life/orgs.html for more information on these organizations.
- Asian and Pacific Islander Law Students Association (APILSA)
- Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
- Environmental Law Society
- National Lawyers Guild
- Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
- OUTLAW
- Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA)
- Shaking the Foundations
- Stanford International Law Society
- Stanford Latino Law Students Association (SLLSA)
- Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation (SPILF)
- Street Law
- Women of Stanford Law
Stetson University: Stetson University College of Law
American Bar Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Asian American Law Student Association
Black Law Student Association
Christian Legal Society
Equal Justice Works
Hispanic Bar Association
Lambda Legal Society
Phi Alpha Delta
American Civil Liberties Union – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
American Law Students Association – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlightsstuorgs/orgs.cfm
Black Law Students Association
Law Society – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Suffolk Public Interest Law Group – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Syracuse University: College of Law
Student Senate (encourages students to do community service)
The following organizations have public interest symposia and speakers:
- Grant Opportunity Program http://www.law.syr.edu/careerservices/goprogram.asp
- Syracuse College of Law Civil Liberties Union http://www.law.syr.edu/studentlife/orgs/sclclu.as p
- Feminist Action League http://www.law.syr.edu/studentlife/orgs/fal.asp
- Criminal Justice Society http://www.law.syr.edu/studentlife/orgs/cjs.asp or http://geocities.com/sucolcjs/
- Black Law Students Association http://www.law.syr.edu/studentlife/orgs/blsa.asp
Temple University: James E. Beasley School of Law
Student Public Interest Network (SPIN)
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Texas Tech University School of Law
The Student Public Interest Initiative (SPII) is a student-run organization established in 2002. Its mission is to raise funds for (1) summer stipends for students doing public interest internships and (2) loan forgiveness or loan repayment for Tech law students who choose to work in public interest jobs upon graduation. In addition, students have been involved in promoting public interest work through career fairs and other activities, including assisting with client intake through Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. The organization has been successful in raising money each year through an Annual Talent Show and Auction to support public interest work.
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law: Thomas Jefferson School of Law
ABA/ LAW Student Division
ADR Society
APALSA
ATLA
Black Law Students Assoc
Enviromental Law Society
Family Law Society
Federalist Society
National Lawyers Guild
OUTLAW
PAD
Public Interest Law Foundation
SBA
TJSL Tax Society
Women's Law Association
Cooley student organizations provide many public interest opportunities. The Student Bar Association at Cooley’s Rochester campus organizes student volunteering at the Women’s Survival Center. The Student Bar Association at Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus maintains a Volunteer Committee offering projects at the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and encouraging volunteering at the Legal Assistance Center in the Kent County Courthouse where Cooley students are key volunteers. The International Law Society at Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus organizes student volunteers accompanying a professor providing weekly pro bono service at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. Other Cooley student organizations having public interest initiatives include the ABA Law Student Division, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, the Asian Pacific American Student Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Black Law Student Association, the Christian Legal Society, the Federalist Society, the Human Rights Alliance, the Jewish Law Students Association, the Native American Law Students Association, the St. Thomas More Society, and the Women’s Law Alliance.
Touro College: Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Public Interest Law of Touro - Hosted 2005 Cover Retreat, Held fundraiser for Loan Forgiveness; Sponsored Speakers Series
Tulane University: Tulane University School of Law
Black Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
Human Rights Law Society
International Law Society
La Alianza del Derecho
Lambda Law Alliance
Public Interest Law Foundation
Tulane Child Advocates
Tulane Legal Assistance Program Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
University at Buffalo Law School, SUNY
Asian American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Buffalo Public Interest Law Program
Latin American Law Students Association
Native American Law Students Association
Outlaw
Progressive Law Society
University of Akron: C. Blake McDowell Law Center
Akron Public Interest Law Society (APILS) is highly involved in public interest endeavors. Activities include inviting public interest related groups to speak at the Law School. APILS members have volunteered at the CASA Guardian Ad Litem Program of Summit County as well as Community Legal Aid. APILS members have been involved in a Pro Bono Research Project, mediation at the Akron Municipal Court and have worked in a homeless shelter’s soup kitchen. Members of this organization have attended Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair, Public Interest Law Conference at The University of Virginia, etc.
The Student Bar Association (SBA) - The SBA has been involved with public interest issues, e.g., raising money for funding Public Interest Fellowships, a cooperative working relationship with Habitat for Humanity ,etc. Law students have made trips to New Orleans to assist in the post Katrina efforts.
Other activities include:
Students from the Asian-Latino Students Association and from the Black Law Students Association tutor school children in the local area. A Red Cross Blood Drive at the Law School is coordinated by Law Association for Women (LAW). LAW also coordinates, food, clothing and gift drives to area shelters and agencies. Phi Alpha Delta conducts two canned goods drives. NACDL coordinates public interest speakers at brown bag dinners. Street Law students work with attorneys and high school teachers to teach academic courses in the high schools on law and public citizenship.
University of Alabama: University of Alabama School of Law
Amnesty International
Black Law Student Association
International Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta
Student Bar Association
Student Farrah
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Black Law Students Association
Criminal Law Association
Federalist Society
International Law Society
Law Women's Association
National Lawyers Guild
Phi Delta Phi
Pride Law
Public Interest Law Organization
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Chapter, ACLU
University of Arkansas at Little Rock: William H. Bowen School of Law
None.
University of Arkansas School of Law
University of Baltimore School of Law
University of California - Los Angeles
University of California at Davis: University of California at Davis School of Law
The King Hall Legal Foundation (KHLF) http://www.law.ucdavis.edu/khlf/
KHLF is a student run nonprofit public interest foundation independent of the School of Law. Founded in 1978, KHLF is dedicated to promoting law and law related efforts in the public interest and to address the needs of those without adequate access to legal services. KHLF supports public interest law internships and provides financial and other assistance to students involved in public interest projects.
KHLF is financed by contributions from King Hall students, alumni, and community members. Student members are responsible for directing fundraising efforts, recruiting members, and coordinating summer projects. KHLF also hosts an annual Spring Auction to raise funds to award summer public interest fellowships to first and second year law students.
National Lawyers Guild
ACLU
La Raza
Davis Refugee Aid Project
University of California, Berkeley: University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall)
- The Berkeley Law Foundation, http://boalt.org/BLF/
- The Boalt Death Penalty Discourse Project, which aims to engage discussion among and provide information to the Boalt community about the death penalty, especially as it relates to California. Website: http://www.boalt.org/dpdp/
- Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights, whose purpose is to promote human rights education and advocacy at the law school, throughout the UC Berkeley campus and within the greater community.
- The Coalition for Diversity, whose purpose is to support and promote a diverse faculty and student body at Boalt Hall. The group focuses primarily on hiring practices, admissions policy, outreach, and education.
- Law Students for Choice, which is committed to educating, organizing, and supporting pro-choice law students to ensure that a new generation of lawyers will be prepared to successfully defend and expand reproductive rights.
- The National Lawyers Guild(Boalt Chapter). The NLG is an organization dedicated to uniting lawyers and legal workers in the fight for civil rights and social justice. Guild attorneys, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers share a progressive social and political perspective that is reflected in the preamble to the Guild's constitution, which holds that human rights are more sacred than property rights.
- STOP DV-- the mission of STudents OPposed to Domestic Violence (STOP DV) is to raise awareness and foster education about the cycles of domestic violence and the legal contexts that surround intimate partner abuse. STOP DV is committed to working within and beyond our legal community in order to challenge current conceptions and to define domestic violence as unacceptable in our society.
- YELS -- The Youth and Education Law Society (YELS) contributes to the law school learning environment by facilitating discussions and encouraging active participation in issues involving youth and the law. To this end, YELS provides its members and the greater Boalt community opportunities for career guidance, policy debate, and direct service.
University of California-Hastings
Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation
Hastings Race & Poverty Law Journal
Hastings-to-Haiti Partnership
Hastings Environmental Law Society
Hastings Chapter, National Lawyers Guild
Clara Foltz Feminist Association
Hastings Race and Poverty Law Organization
Hastings Post-Katrina Organization
University of Chicago: University of Chicago Law School
PILS: The Public Interest Law Society (PILS) is a student-led organization that promotes the study and practice of public interest law at the University of Chicago Law School. PILS works to promote career development and academic scholarship in public interest law, as well as to make the practice of public interest law a reality after graduation.
CLF: The Chicago Law Foundation (CLF) is a student-directed, not-for-profit group that awards grants to law students who devote their summers to working in the public interest and bar grants to graduating students entering the public sector. http://www.law.uchicago.edu/Life/clf.html
University of Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati College of Law
ICLAP
National Lawyers Guild – Visiting Speaker
Public Interest Law Group (PILG) – Public interest fundraisers
Student Bar Association – Community Service Event
University of Colorado: School of Law
American Constitution Society
Black Law Student Association
Colorado Law Mediation Program
Doman International Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Latino Law Students Association
National Lawyer's Guild
Native American Law Students Association
OUTLaw
Public Interest Student Association
Student Bar Association
Women's Law Caucus
University of Connecticut: University of Connecticut School of Law
The Law School has a Public Interest Law Group (the Law School's Equal Justice Works chapter) devoted to promoting public interest/public service. This group hosts an annual auction, funds numerous summer grants, and organizes various events highlighting public interest/public service topics throughout the academic year.
The Law School also has an emerging on-line journal, the Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal, whose first issue was published electronically in fall 2001.
The Connecticut Unemployment Action Center (CUAC) is another student group on campus that engages in public service activities. The CUAC represents unemployment insurance claimants in the greater Hartford area.
The Law School also has many other groups that host organized public service, including Amnesty International, the Women Law Students' Association, Phi Alpha Delta and the Student Bar Association.
University of Dayton: University of Dayton School of Law
Public Interest Law Organization
Student Volunteer Lawyers' Project
University of Denver: Sturm College of Law
Amnesty International
Disability Law Club
Diversity Advocates
DULaw Partnership with Community Day (DPCD)
Helping Empower Through Alternative Resolution
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students' Association
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
The Asian Pacific American Law Students' Association
The Black Law Students' Association
The Child Legal Advocacy Group
The DU Outlaws
The Elder Law Society (ELS)
The Immigration Law Student Association
The Jewish Law Students' Association
The Latino Law Students' Association
The National Resources & Environmental Law Society
The Public Interest Law Group
The Ralph Timothy Potter Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The Social Justice Action Group
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
University of Florida: Fredric G. Levin College of Law
ABA-Law Student Division
Amilie Poulion
Association for Public Interest Law
Caribean Law Student Association
Christian Legal Society
Environmental and Land Use Society
FAMILY LAW SOCIETY
John Marshall Bar Association
Law Association for Women
Military Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Phi Alpha Delta
University of Georgia School of Law
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Equal Justice Works
- Environmental Law Association
- Asian Law Student Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Federalist Society
- Gay and Lesbian Legal Network
- Hispanic Law Students Association
- Jewish Law Student Association
- Women Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Houston Law Center
Dean's Advisory Council
Public Interest Law Organization
University of Idaho: College of Law
Public Interest Law Group. The Public Interest Law Group (PILG) serves law student contemplating careers in public interest law by providing stipends so that meritorious law students are able to accept unpaid public interest internships. The Group also forges contacts with successful public interest attorneys and organizations, provides public service volunteer opportunities, helps students navigate the challenges unique to the application process for public interest jobs and internships, and raises the visibility of public interest law at the University of Idaho.
University of Illinois College of Law
The dynamics of the student body allow the College of Law to present a wide diversity of public interest groups which vary on an annual basis in light of student interest and demands. In addition to the following organizations which are annually made available to the student body, the College also entertains proposals for new groups previously not available or on new and emerging issues.
- American Civil Liberties Union-College of Law Chapter
- American Constitution Society for Law & Public Policy
- AMICUS
- Disability Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Health Law Society
- Loan Repayment Assistance Program Exploratory Committee
- Prisoners' Right Research Project
- Public Interest Law Foundation
- Public Service Task Force
- Sexual Orientation & Legal Issues Society
- Society for Legal Assistance to Abused Women
University of Iowa College of Law
American Constitution Society for Law & Policy
Asian American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Foundation
Federalist Society
International Law Society
Iowa Campaign for Human Rights
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Latino Law Students Association
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Middle Eastern Law Student Association
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Student Association
Organization for Women Law Students and Staff
Outlaws
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Delta Phi
Pro Bono Society
University of Kansas: School of Law
None.
University of Kentucky College of Law
The Student Public Interest Law Foundation ("SPILF") is a student group at the College of Law that focuses on public interest issues and public interest employment. The Associate Dean for Career Services (Susan Steele, 859-257-8320) each year seeks a grant on behalf of SPILF from the Kentucky Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (“I.O.L.T.A.”) Fund to support summer public interest fellowships for students. The amount included in any grant is supplemented by funds that students raise through activities like the annual student auction for SPILF. Students then apply to receive grants to support summer work for public interest groups.
University of La Verne College of Law
University of Louisville: Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Student Bar Foundation - Charity Auction to fund student public interest fellowships
Brandeis Equal Justice Committee (Equal Justice Works chapter).
University of Maine School of Law
Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL)
Student Bar Association & Civil Rights Association
University of Maryland: University of Maryland School of Law
BLSA
MPILP
Phi Alpha Delta
St. Thomas More
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Health Law Organization
UMALL - Legislative
University of MD WBA
See: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/studentorg/index.asp#MIPSA
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Public Interest Law Society
University of Miami School of Law
University of Michigan: University of Michigan Law School
There’s no shortage of active student groups focusing on public service issues and performing community service, including the Organization of Public Interest Students, the Michigan Election Law Project and the Student Network for Asylum and Refugee Law. For a complete list of such student groups, please visit: http://www.law.umich.edu/journalsandOrgs/orgs.htm.
University of Minnesota: University of Minnesota Law School
Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Group
National Lawyers Guild.
University of Mississippi School of Law
University of Missouri - Columbia: School of Law
Law Students for a Better Community
Missouri Equal Justice Foundation
National Lawyers’ Guild
Public Interest Law Association
University of Missouri Kansas City University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law
- Public Interest Law Association
- Pro Bono/Public Interest Committee (students are chosen to work on committee with Pro Bono/Public Interest Committee Faculty members to help improve programs at the school)
- Midwestern Innocence Project Student Organization
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
- National Lawyer’s Guild
- Constitutional Law Society
- Federalist Society
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Animal Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Family Law Society
- International Law Society
- Association of Women Law Students
- Black Law Students Association
- Hispanic Law Student Association
- Outlaws
- Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Association
- Christian Legal Society
- Jewish Law Student Association
University of Montana: University of Montana School of Law
Environmental Law Group
Montana Public Interest Law Group
Women's Law Caucus
University of Nebraska: University of Nebraska College of Law
Equal Justice Society
Nebraska Fund for Clerkships in the Public Interest
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: William S. Boyd School of Law
All student organizations must do a community service project in order to receive funding for the academic year.
Public Interest Law Association – PILA is a student organization that promotes public interest and public service activities. Each year PILA raises funds to provide summer grants to students who work in non-profit or government agencies representing underserved or indigent populations.
Saltman Center Conflict Resolution Student Organization – Sponsored training for students to serve as mediators with the Neighborhood Justice Center.
Vegas Immigration Student Association – Sponsored two programs: Domestic Violence & Nicaragua's Legal System and Trafficking of Humans--How Prevalent is it in the U.S./Las Vegas?
University of New Mexico School of Law
The Association of Public Interest Law- APIL is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, but not limited to: Raising and allocating funds in order to provide grant recipients with an opportunity to gain practical experience in public interest; Assisting public interest governmental or non-governmental non-profit agencies to achieve their goals by encouraging and enabling students to undertake unpaid summer internships; Educating students about career opportunities in public interest law and legal services; Creating a community where students can demonstrate their individual and communal support of public interest law.
University of North Carolina: University of North Carolina School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union - Carolina Law Chapter
American Constitution Society
Carolina Law School Republicans Society
Carolina Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Carolina Law Young Democrats
Carolina Public Interest Law Organization (C-PILO)
Center for Civil Rights-Civil Rights Appellate Advocacy Team
Conference on Race, Class, Gender & Ethnicity
Federalist Society
Feminist Action Initiative
Health Law and Policy Association
National Lawyers Guild
University of North Dakota School of Law