Public Interest Careers

Defining Public Interest Practice

Serving the public is an outstanding way to integrate the mission of UST Law into your legal career.  There are many options for the public interest lawyer, including direct legal services, law reform/policy organizations, nonprofit organizations, government offices (both civil and criminal), and international public service organizations.    

Building a Public Interest Career

Most successful public interest careers begin during law school. Check out the number of ways UST Law offers to get you started on your path to public service: CPD programming, classes, clinic, legal volunteer opportunities, student organizations , clerkships & summer funding, and post-graduate fellowships.  When it comes time to search for a job in public interest, with the government or an international organization, access job search databases here.

Financing a Public Interest Career

While public interest lawyers make less than their colleagues in the private sector, they have very challenging and fulfilling careers and still live comfortably.  Here, we have provided you with some information about starting salaries, loan repayment assistance, and post graduate fellowships to help you finance the job of your dreams!

Start Here, Start Now!  Make an appointment with Cathy at CPD to discuss your public interest career.

 

Public Interest Perspectives
Sara Solz, Class of 2008	Recipient of Summer 2007 UST Chapter MJF Clerkship, and Summer 2007 Equal Justice Works Scholarship
Public Interest Work: Centro Legal in St. Paul, MN My experience at Centro Legal has given me the opportunity to provide direct legal services to Spanish-speaking immigrants who would otherwise be unable to afford legal representation.  It has been rewarding to get to know the clients I work with and to work with the company and advice of a variety of legal professionals and support staff.  I have also been able to attend staff meetings to become familiar with how a non-profit legal office functions.  It has been gratifying to work in an environment where meeting the clients' needs is the agency's first priority.