ABA Law Student Division
Public Interest
Law School Activities
Public interest activity is on the rise! Through the efforts of individual student initiatives, student group activities, and law school policies, law students are increasingly making a difference in their communities. Public interest law activities take many forms such as in law journals, student organizations, clinical programs, internships, externships, pro bono and community service.
Many schools are supporting law students in their endeavor to help others. Here are some statistics about schools policies. It might give you some ideas for the next time you speak to your dean.
In the past five years the number of clinical programs at ABA-approved law schools has grown by 9 percent; nearly 95 percent of the schools now have such programs. The percentage of law schools offering externship programs has nearly doubled to 85 percent.
Today, nearly half of the law schools offer term-time funding for public interest law work, while more than 80 percent make some level of funding available for summer-time public interest work. Sixty-five law schools offer loan repayment assistance programs with another dozen or so programs pending or under exploration.
Sixty-five percent of the law schools public law journals that address public interest law and public policy issues, with a handful also publishing electronic journals. Nearly 95 percent of the law schools offer some kind of pro bono service opportunities or support, while less than 10 percent make pro bono service mandatory.
Career Opportunities
- Visit the ABA Law Student Division Career Information page and Links page for additional resources in the area of public interest.
- For a free downloadable copy of The Path to Pro Bono, visit the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service web page
- Curtin Fellowship Program Summer Program: Seeks motivated law student interns with a position offered, contingent on funding, from a qualified organization. Program provides a $2,500 stipend to students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. Tell me more
- TaxationPublic Service Fellowship: The Section of Taxation Public Service Fellowships is designed to address the need for tax legal assistance, and to foster an interest in tax-related public service among those individuals who participate. Tell me more
From Around the ABA
Here are just a few of the resources available to assist in organizing a public interest activity:
Law Student Division Links
- Official Law Student Division Work-A-Day site
- A variety of sites
ABA Links
ABA Public Education
- Directory of Law School Public Interest Support Programs
Books and Reports
- Directory of Law School Public Interest Law Support Programs (Second Edition)
- The
Path to Pro Bono (free downloadable copy),
by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service
Work-A-Day Activities
A weekend that law students set aside to participate in community service activities. Go to the official Law Student Division Work-A-Day page for more information.
Awards in Public Interest
Be sure to nominate your law school or law school organization for the National Public Interest Award to recognize its efforts in providing Public Interest opportunities to law students. Deadline for Nominations: April 1. Tell me more about the ABA Law Student Division Public Interest Award
Law School Public Interest and ProBono Awards and RecognitionLaw Day (May 1)
Law Day 2009: A Legacy of Liberty – Celebrating Lincoln’s Bicentennial
Future lawyers will find value in reflecting on this year’s theme as Law Day highlights Lincoln’s legacy and place in history as a quintessential lawyer president. Make sure your law school doesn’t miss out on this year’s Law Day activities. Order a free 2009 Law Day Planning Guide featuring a section for law students seeking to increase participation in Law Day programming on their campus or in their community. Also this year, the Law Day Outstanding Activity Award includes a new category for law schools and law students. Tell me more
