The University of St. Thomas

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, such as: 

  • Direct legal services offices provide civil legal representation in housing, family, consumer, government benefits, immigration, labor, employment, or education, among other areas. 
  • Law reform/policy organizations focus on influencing systemic changes in particular areas (e.g., environmental, healthcare, or housing) or for particular groups of people (e.g., the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Children’s Defense Fund or Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy).  Some of these organizations focus on legislative advocacy and others on litigation as their primary strategy. 
  • Not for profit organizations with many different missions also employ lawyers.
  • The government (federal, state, county or city offices) employ lawyers to practice in many areas of civil or administrative law.  The work can be litigation, policy work, advising governmental bodies or even negotiating contracts. 
  • Criminal law opportunities include working for a U.S. Attorney Office, a State Attorney General Office or at the county or city level as a prosecutor.  You can also work as a public defender at the federal, state or county level. 
  • International public service for the federal government, an NGO, or a nonprofit in the U.S. or abroad. 

If any of these areas of practice interest you, check out ways to build your public interest career!

 

Public Interest Perspectives


Lindsey Anderson,
Class of 2008

 Recipient of UST PILF Grant for Summer 2007

Public Interest Work: Office of the State Appellate Defender in Chicago, Illinois

“In working with these attorneys I have seen their passion and dedication for their clients, and how hard they will work to try to correct an injustice.  I have learned that being an appellate public defender often requires creativity because the law and public policy are often against you, but that does not lessen the necessity of being a zealous advocate for your client.  The best thing about this office is their commitment to quality legal services for the indigent.  Serving their clients is their mission, and I have enjoyed helping to promote that mission.”