What do public interest lawyers do

Nita previously worked for Georgetown University Law Center and has practiced in both the private and public sectors. Public interest law is defined as anything affecting the well-being, the rights, health, or finances of the public at large, most commonly advocating for those living in poverty or marginalized populations. According to the National Association for Law Placement NALP , the percentage of new lawyers entering public interest careers is growing; in , nearly seven percent of new attorneys entered public service, up from just two percent in There are many reasons to pursue a career in public interest law: dedication to a cause; the ability to make a difference; or the desire to take on significant responsibility early on in your career.

Public interest careers encompass a wide array of practice areas, ranging from litigation and class action work, to policy, legislation and community organizing.

You could work at a direct legal service provider such as Legal Aid helping indigent individuals or focus on impact litigation that affects a large number of people. You could work for a non-profit organization, an international non-governmental organization NGO or a public interest law firm.

Other options include working for the federal, state or local government, as well as in public defender or prosecutor offices. Regardless of the category of work, public interest positions are coveted opportunities that require dedication and skill. They serve the public interest in some fashion. They may become a public defender taking on clients who are unable to afford an attorney, upholding the rights of all citizens to have legal representation.

Or they may work for a large branch of government on international law. In both cases a public attorney's efforts benefit the public. Some of the cases a public lawyer may get involved with are:. The best candidates will be able to write well. They also must have the ability to work with agency officials on all levels.

Any lawyer needs to be well organized and analytical. As with any attorney, good communications skills are vital. They also must have a strong understanding of any particular regulations or rules unique to their area of practice. For instance, if an attorney works in patents, they will want to have a good understanding of patent law. Because the public lawyer will be an advocate for legal matters that affect private citizens or public policy, their caseloads reflect this fact.

They may work with an individual or group. Here are just a few examples:. Environmental Law. Public Interest Fellowships Vol. Public interest Fellowships Vol. Studying Law at Yale. Areas of Interest Degree Programs. Clinical and Experiential Learning Courses.

Our Faculty. Student Life. Search Search. Public Interest. Government Within the government there are many legal opportunities on the federal, state, and local level, in many different settings. Public Interest Work by Law Firms Many private firms provide opportunities to practice public service law through pro bono programs.

Public Interest Fellowships Fellowships serve as a gateway for public interest jobs and are intended to fulfill a specific purpose and provide a specified sum.