Public interest law is a branch of law dedicated to representing and advocating for the rights and interests of individuals or groups that are typically underrepresented or marginalized in society. It focuses on advancing justice and the public good. Public interest lawyers work on a variety of issues, including civil rights, environmental protection, consumer rights, education, healthcare, social justice and more.

Advocacy:

Advocacy and Litigation: Public interest lawyers often engage in litigation to enforce laws and protect the rights of disadvantaged groups. They may file lawsuits, represent clients in court, and work to create legal precedents that benefit the public.

Policy and Legislative Work: They may also work on developing and advocating for policies and legislation that promote social justice and protect public interests.

Community Education and Outreach: Public interest lawyers frequently engage in educational efforts to inform communities about their rights and how to advocate for themselves.

Practice Settings: There are many places to do public interest work., depending on your issue(s) of interest, type of advocacy and more.

• Government Agencies offer opportunities to serve the public interest, such as prosecutor’s offices, or regulatory agencies at the federal, state, or local levels. Some examples include:
  • The Department of Justice is tasked with the enforcement of federal law and with the administration of justice in the United States. This includes “DOJ Main” in Washington, DC and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.
  • District Attorneys prosecute violations of state law for a specific judicial district or county.
  • Specialized agencies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (enforcing federal law against market manipulation), Department of State (advances U.S. interests through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance), New York City Department of Education (manages the city’s public school systems), the Environmental Protection Agency (enforces federal government regulations), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (environmental agency for the state of Texas).
• Legal Services/Aid Organizations are nonprofit entities that provide free or low-cost, typically civil, legal services to clients who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them. They handle a wide range of issues such as housing, immigrant rights, consumer protection, and disability rights. Examples of legal aid organizations include Cornell’s Farmworker Program, Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY), Legal Services of New York City, Legal Aid of New York, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Boat People SOS, Education Law Center, New York Legal Assistance Group.
• Impact Litigation Groups are legal groups that focus on strategic lawsuits aimed at creating broad legal change. Instead of representing clients solely on individual legal issues, these organizations strategically select cases that have the potential to set important legal precedents, influence public policy, or address systemic issues. The goal is to achieve outcomes that extend beyond the interests of a single client and affect a larger population or rectify widespread injustices. The work is research and writing heavy, often focused on untested or novel legal theories which may take years to come to fruition. Examples of impact litigation organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the Institute for Justice.
• Public Defenders represent individuals who cannot afford to hire legal representation. These individuals, typically criminal defendants, are entitled to legal representation under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. public defenders are essential to upholding the principle that justice should not be dependent on one’s financial resources, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has access to legal representation in criminal cases. Their work is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the legal system and protecting the constitutional rights of individuals.
• Private Public Interest Firms re unique legal entities that blend the operational model of a private law firm with the mission-driven goals of public interest organizations. These firms typically aim to address social justice issues, protect civil rights, and advocate for underserved or marginalized communities, all while operating as for-profit businesses.
• Think Tanks and Policy Centers
• International Public Interest Organizations