I am a …
Search

Public Interest Organizations

Public interest organizations are nonprofit organizations devoted to the public good. Attorneys working for these groups advocate on behalf of underrepresented individuals and interests.

Some students come to law school with a passion for an area, such as disability rights or the death penalty. Others develop an interest, for example, after studying criminal law and criminal procedure. And still others want to pursue public interest through their work providing pro bono representation.

Most public interest organizations fall into one of two categories: legal aid offices, which provide direct representation to individuals, and other nonprofits, such as the ACLU or the Southern Poverty Law Center, that promote social welfare causes through impact litigation and legislation and lobbying advocacy.

Notably, lawyers can engage in public interest work outside of these settings. Public interest work can occur in private law firm where lawyers provide pro bono representation, at private public interest law firms, and in the government. As a result, the range of activities that lawyers perform on behalf of the public interest is very broad—from prosecution to drafting articles of incorporation for a non-profit involved with issues of reproductive justice. Public interest opportunities are available to lawyers on both the conservative and liberal side of the political aisle.

Courses

Courses designated as "primary" are foundational, while those listed as "secondary" contain relevant and related content. "Co-curricular" courses are credit-bearing extra-curricular activities, while "experiential" courses are practice-based offerings. Please keep in mind that the focus of any course will vary depending on the instructor.

Primary Courses

Secondary Courses

Experiential Courses

Faculty

The following faculty are knowledgeable about the topic and may be a useful resource for you.

Alyse Bertenthal

Alyse Bertenthal

Associate Professor of Law

Christine Coughlin

Christine Coughlin

Professor of Law

Mark Hall

Mark Hall

Fred D. and Elizabeth L Turnage Professor of Law

Rebecca Morrow

Rebecca Morrow

Professor of Law

Ellen Murphy

Ellen Murphy

Professor of Practice

Wendy Parker

Wendy Parker

Research Professor of Law

Wilson Parker

Wilson Parker

Professor of Law

Scott Schang

Scott Schang

Professor of Practice

Sidney Shapiro

Sidney Shapiro

Frank U. Fletcher Chair in Administrative Law

Kenneth Townsend

Kenneth Townsend

Teaching Professor

Steve Virgil

Steve Virgil

Clinical Professor of Law

Ronald Wright

Ronald Wright

Needham Yancey Gulley Professor of Criminal Law

Related Pathways

Civil Litigation

Learn More

Legislation and Lobbying

Learn More

Law Firm

Learn More

Government

Learn More