ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A PUBLIC INTEREST CAREER?

Public interest law is varied and very rewarding. It can involve legal work advocating for children, pursuing changes in civil rights laws, working to implement new environmental regulations, assisting immigrants, reforming the criminal justice system here at home or even improving human rights abroad. Public interest lawyers work in many different practice settings and for a wide array of employers from government agencies and nonprofit organizations to prosecutor and public defender offices.

Unlike the private sector, public interest employers have very little resources to recruit. Thus, if you are interested in working in public interest, you will need to be proactive to secure a job. Consider where you would like to work. Limiting your geographic area will limit the practice areas available to you. In addition to the postings from the CSO, take look at websites like www.PSJD.org and www.idealist.org to see what is out there. You will need to find the right place and fit for you.

Most importantly, if this sounds like something you are interested in please make an appointment with the Public Interest Counselor, Jerri Green (jerri.green@memphis.edu) at the Career Services Office (CSO) to further explore your goals and options.  We can discuss what you should do while in law school to secure a job in public interest after you graduate, as well as how you can afford to work in a public interest position, and any other questions you might have.