Law School Public Interest Programs - Student Public Interest Groups
Women's Law Caucus (WLC)
National Lawyers Guild
Public Interest Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Health Law Society
American University Washington College of Law
Action for Human Rights
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Black Law Students Association
Christian Legal Society
Criminal Law Brief
Criminal Law Society
Election Protection
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Foundation
Health Law and Justice Project
Human Rights Brief
Intellectual Property Law Society
International Law Society
Islamic Legal Forum
Israel & Law Society
Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law
Labor and Employment Law Society
Lambda Law Society
Latina/Latino Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Poverty Law Society
Public Interest Student Coalition
Street Law Program
The Modern American
Women's Law Association
ASL is a member of Equal Justice Works and the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. ASL students are active in a variety of public interest organizations including the Sutin Public Interest Association, (“SPIA”) and the Environmental Law Society, (“ELS”).
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Barry University School of Law
The Baylor Public Interest Legal Society is a service-oriented organization which exists to serve Baylor Law School and the Waco community in facilitating the involvement of students in public interest institutions and programs. The Society coordinates and encourages the efforts of students, faculty, and administration in promoting public interest issues on campus and in the community. The Society also assists students in obtaining internships, externships, and employment in public interest fields in coordination with Baylor Law School's faculty and administration.
- Children’s Rights Group
- Community Economic Development Law Group
- Coalition for Equality
- Criminal Justice Law Project
- Domestic Violence Advocacy Project
- Environmental Law Society
- Immigration Spring Break
- National Lawyers Guild
- Human Rights Project
- Public Interest Law Foundation
- Reproductive Choice Coalition
- Veterans Association
- Women’s Law Center
Boston University School of Law
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) -
Community activities have included participation in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and a volunteer divorce clinic.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA) –
Devoted to community service.
Education and School Law Association -
Explores education law. Hosts guest speakers, career panels and other activities to introduce students to the area of education and school law.
Environmental Law Society –
They coordinate the School's white paper recycling program, as well as community service activities with Boston-area environmental groups.
Law Democrats
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Muslim Law Students Association
National Security Law Society
OUTLAW
OutLaw is Boston University School of Law's student group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied students. OutLaw provides leadership and educational opportunities and strives to connect Boston University School of Law to the GLBT legal community.
Public Interest Project (PIP) -
Funds summer public interest stipends for students working in government and public interest organizations. Sponsors community service activities throughout the year. Holds an annual auction to raise money for summer stipends.
Boston University School of Law's Shelter Legal Services is a student group that supplements the work of our parent group, Shelter Legal Services Foundation, Inc. Shelter Legal Services Foundation, Inc. increases access to quality, pro bono legal services for the poor. Student volunteers, with the assistance of attorneys, staff the weekly legal clinics, advise clients and advocate in courts and administrative agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Public Interest Law Forum (Equal Justice Works group)
Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Government & Politics Legal Society
Natural Resources Law Society
The following student organizations are dedicated to public interest issues. A complete listing of student organizations and additional information about the organizations listed below can be viewed at http://www.brooklaw.edu/studentorg/.
American Civil Liberties Union (BLS-ACLU)(Co-sponsors debate program, speakers and events.)
American Constitution Society (ACS)
(Co-sponsors debate program, speakers and events.)
Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest (BLSPI)
(Raises funds for and sponsors Summer Public Interest Fellowships and leads many community service activities.)
BLS Motivating Youth through Legal Education (M.Y.L.E.)
(Coaches high school students in a Constitutional debate program.)
Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office, Student Action Group
(Helps vulnerable consumer debtors.)
Legal Association For Women (LAW)
(Helps victims of domestic violence in three different programs.)
National Lawyers Guild
(Helps workers, immigrants, prisoners and others, sponsors debates and programs, and participates in legal monitoring of voting, protests and controversial events.)
Student Hurricane Network (SHN)
(Provides civil as well as criminal defense assistance to those in the Gulf Region suffering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.)
Tax Law Association
(Helps low-wage earners to file taxes and receive benefits.)
Unemployment Action Center
(Assists unemployment insurance claimants in New York City.)
California Western School of Law
- Amnesty International
- Child, Family & Elder Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Health Law Society
- La Raza Law Student Association
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Pride Law
- Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
- Student Bar Association
- Women's Law Caucus
Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
- Project Innocence
- Law Students Civil Rights Research Council
- Project for Older Prisoners (POPS)
Environmental Law Society
VITA
Case Western Reserve University Law School
The Student Public Interest Law Fellowship (SPILF) is a non-partisan student organization that aims to encourage students to consider careers in public interest law; to support and advocate for students who have chosen public interest careers; and to raise money to provide grants to law students who accept summer internships with public interest employers in lieu of more lucrative summer employment.
Catholic University of America School of Law
Students for Public Interest Law (SPIL) puts on numerous events and community service/pro bono activities in order to provide information and experience in public interest law. This includes community service and pro bono opportunities, guest speakers, career panels, and general information on various type of public interest opportunities. SPIL also hosts numerous fundraisers throughout the year to provide summer stipends to students working in the public interest arena. The biggest event is the Annual SPIL Auction which raises over $30,000 each year for summer stipends.
Chapman University School of Law
Public Interest Law Foundation - PILF holds a silent auction every spring to raise funds for summer grants to students doing public interest work. PILF also puts on a variety of lunchtime panels throughout the school year to educate students about public interest careers and pro bono opportunities.
http://www.chapman.edu/law/students/PILF/default.asp
CharlotteLaw Public Interest Law Society (PILS)
City University of New York Law at Queens College
The Mississippi Project
Labor Coalition
Asian/Pacific American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Court Advocates Project
Irish Law Students Association
Latin American Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild chapter
Public Interest Law Association
Constitution Law Society
New York City Law Review
Moot Court
Contemplative Urban Law Program
Criminal Law Society
CUNY OUTlaws
Muslim Law Students Association
South Asian Law Students Association
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Columbia University School of Law
ACLU Columbia Law School Chapter
African Law Student Society
American Constitution Society
Amnesty International
Asian Pacific Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Civil Rights Law Society
Columbia Coalition for Life
Columbia Law Women's Association
Criminal Justice Action Network
Domestic Violence Project
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
For Enacting a Humane Drug Policy (FEHDP)
IMPACT
Just Democracy - Active only in 04-50
Latino/a Law Students Association
Muslim Law Student Association
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Student Association
Outlaws
Public Interest Law Foundation
Rightslink
Society for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Society of Law, Health and Bioethics
Student Alliance for Gender Equality
Youth Justice Association
American Constitution Society
Black Law Students Association
Christian Legal Society
Jewish Legal Society
Cornell Law Students for Human Rights
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Latino American Law Students Association
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students Association
Public Interest Law Union
Society of Law and the Arts
Students for Marriage Equality
Creighton University School of Law
Public Interest Law Forum
DePaul University College of Law
ACLU - Raises awareness of various public interest/human rights issues
American Constitution Society - Hosts speakers and panel events
Amnesty International - Hosted events to raise awareness of international human rights issues
National Lawyers Guild - Hosted speakers, film discussions. Trained legal observers. Sponsored trip to School of the Americas Protest for law students.
Outlaws - Hosts events to raise awareness about legal issues concerning the gay community
Public Interest Law Association - Hosted speakers and panels; raised and distributed money to students working in public interest fields
Drake University School of Law
American Constitution Society
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Arts and Law Society
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Black Law Student Association
Criminal Justice Society
Drake Agricultural Law Association
Drake Law Democrats
Drake Law Outlaws
Drake Law Republicans
Drake Law Women
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Works
Hispanic Law Student Association
International Law Society
Public Interest Scholars
Student Bar Association
Student United for Consumer Advocacy
The Federalist Society
Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law
SPIN - Student Public Interest Network
The Just Society
Women Law Students Association
American Constitution Society
Black Law Students Association
Board of the Office of Public Interest & Pro Bono
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Support Project
Duke Bar Association Community Service Board
Duke Environmental & Policy Forum
Duke Law Democrats
Duke Law Journal
Duke Law Republicans
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law Society
Hispanic/Latino Law Students Association
Innocence Project
International Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Public Interest Law Foundation
Duquesne University School of Law
The Public Interest Law Association (PILA) is dedicated to increasing awareness of public interest issues as well as providing opportunities for students to gain experience in the public interest field. PILA focuses on publicizing the types of public interest careers that are available, presenting students with the opportunity to become involved in the local community by performing public service activities of a legal and non-legal nature, and raising money to fund students who wish to do summer internships with public interest employers. Contact information for the current officers can be found online at http://www.sites.duq.edu/law/student-services/organizations/pila.cfm.
Public Interest Law Society (PILS)
ACLU
Emory University School of Law
Emory Public Interest Committee
Environmental and Conservation Law Society
Homeless Advocacy Program
Student Legal Services
Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
Student organizations are encouraged to adopt a public service goal for the year. The Jones Public Interest Law Foundation helps raise funds to support students’ deducation to public interest/public service.
The law school is a member of Equal Justice Works and subscribes to PSLAWnet.
Florida A&M University College of Law
Every student group at Florida Coastal performs pro bono work. These student groups include:
- American Association for Justice
- American Bar Association – Law Student Division
- Animal Law Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Coastal Association of Public Interest Law
- Caribbean Law Student Association
- Christian Legal Society
- Entertainment Law Association
- Environmental Law Society
- Federalists Society
- Hispanic American Law Students Association
- International Law Society
- Irish American Law Society
- Italian American Law Students Association
- J. Reuben Clark Society
- Jewish Law Students Associations
- Lambda Legal Society
- Law Students Against Violence
- Military Law Society
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Pro Bono
- Public Speaking for Lawyers
- Real Property
- Probate & Trust Law Club
- South Asian American Legal Society
- Sports Law Society
- Women Law Students’ Association.
Florida International University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
Student Bar Association, Public Interest Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Environmental Law Society and ACLU are some of the active law student organizations that are involved in identifying, creating and promoting public interest and community service opportunities to the law school community.
Fordham University School of Law
George Mason University School of Law
George Washington University Law School
- Amnesty International Legal Support Group
- Criminal Law Society
- Domestic Violence Coalition
- Environmental Law Association
- Equal Justice Foundation (the Equal Justice Works student chapter)
- Lambda Law
- National Lawyers Guild
- Street Law.
Georgetown University Law Center
ACLU
AIDS Law Movement
American Constitution Society
Criminal Justice Association
Death Penalty Project
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Georgetown Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Minorities for the Public Interest
National Lawyers Guild
Outlaw
Students Against the Death Penalty
The Equal Justice Foundation
Women Legal Alliance
Georgia State University College of Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
The Ronald M. George Chief Justice Distinguished Lecture Series: The inaugural program in October 2009 featured an address by The Honorable Ronald M. George discussing, "Access to Justice in Times of Fiscal Crisis."
Minority Bar Coalition Unity Conference: In October 2009, the School of Law hosted the Minority Bar Coalition Unity Conference. The annual Unity Conference celebrates diversity in the profession and provides a variety of programming issues varying from civil rights to professional development. The 2009 event, which honored California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, included a luncheon; panels on marriage equality, hate crimes, and diversity in the judiciary; and an awards reception.
The Intellectual Property Law Center IP Law Conference: The School of Law and IP Law Center hosted the 8th Annual Conference on Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law in October 2009. Speakers included Lynne Beresford, US Commissioner for Trademarks; Hon. James Ware, US District Court, Northern District of California; and leading IP attorneys.
Environmental Law Symposium: The Law School is hosting a conference titled, "Farming and Food: How We Grow What We Eat," in November 2009. Topics include Feedlot Runoff, Organic Certification, Irrigation Subsidies, Genetically Modified Crops, and the Mexico-U.S.Corn Trade. Presenters include attorneys from law firms and nongovernmental organizations and professors from several universities. Co-sponsors include the Environmental Law Sections of the State Bar of California and the Bar Association of San Francisco and Fitzgerald, Abbott & Beardsley LLP.
Poverty Law Conference: Golden Gate University School of Law and the Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) are presenting a two-day teaching conference in San Francisco in March 2010. This event will bring together new data and theories from the social sciences, communications and media, and legal education about our most vulnerable populations for use in law teaching across the curriculum. The conference will explore questions such as: how can law teachers integrate economic issues precipitated by class, race, and gender into a broad range of courses, including, for example, first-year Contracts or Professional Responsibility, Health or Environmental Law, Clinics and Externships? What types of nontraditional classes would most effectively focus student interest on the economic needs of vulnerable populations? How do law schools initiate and encourage collaborative alliances to broaden discussions and promote positive change? The conference will consider these issues from the perspectives of interdisciplinary academics, practitioners, and activists.
Orientation Service Project: As part of the first-year orientation program, student volunteers spend a day working on environmental restoration projects in the Presidio National Park.
Gonzaga University School of Law
Environmental Law Caucus
Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project
Just Democracy
Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance
Student Bar Association
Tax Law Society - VITA
Thomas More Scholars
Women's Law Caucus
Hamline University School of Law
African Law Association (HALA)
Alliance for Independent Feminists (AIF)
American Constitution Society (ACS)
Asia Law Society (HALS)
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Big Brother Big Sister
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Child and Youth Advocates
Direct Action Against Poverty
Environmental Law Society
Forum on Local Govt. and Politics
Gender Justice Working Group
Harvard Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy
HLS ACLU
HLS Democrats
HLS KSG Association for Law and Policy
HLS Republicans
HLS Veterans Association
Immigration Project
Just Democracy
Kids in the Court
Labor and Employment Action Law Project (LEAP)
Lambda
Latin American Law Society
Law Students for Choice
Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
Multiracial Law Students Assn.
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
Project on Wrongful Convictions
Recording Artists Project
South Asian Law Students Assn.
StopDV
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
Student Public Interest Network (SPIN)
Tax Help Club
Women's Law Association (WLA)
Hofstra University School of Law
The Public Justice Foundation (PJF) – The Public Justice Foundation is the Law School's public interest law student organization. The objectives of PJF are twofold: first, to raise awareness about public sector law practice by facilitating student employment in the area; and second, to expose the Law School community to important legal issues through debate and discussion. PJF holds various fundraisers, including an annual service auction, which fund summer fellowships for Hofstra Law School students who take nonpaying jobs in the public sector that they otherwise would be unable to accept due to financial constraints. In furtherance of its second objective, PJF has sponsored debates and other educational programs
Domestic Violence Courtroom Advocates Program (CAP)
Unemployment Action Center (UAC)
Volunteers for Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Legal Emergency Aid Project (LEAP)
Howard University School of Law
- HPILS (Howard Public Interest Law Society)
- Black Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
- Sports and Entertainment Law Association
- International Law Society
- La Alianza
- OUTLAW
- ACLU chapter
- The Barrister
- Epsilon Sigma Iota
- Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity
- Phi Delta Phi Fraternity
Illinois Institute of Technology: Chicago-Kent College of Law
Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) - Approximately 20 students receive grants from the student-run Kent Justice Foundation, ranging up to $5,000 for ten weeks of public interest work in the summer. This fundraising is supported through a student-run spring auction, a fall wine event and other fundraising efforts throughout the year, as well as additional support from the Faculty, the Student Bar Association, and the Dean. Through KJF students volunteer with the Self-Help Web Desk at the Daley Center/Circuit Court of Cook County. At the Daley Center students assist pro se litigants by helping them access legal resources so that they can effectively represent themselves in court. This project is coordinated through Chicago-Kent's Center for Access to Justice and Technology, with student organization support.
National Lawyers Guild (NLG) - The National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. They seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests. The NLG student group at Chicago-Kent is active in training students to be legal observers when there are protests or controversial trials taking place in the Chicago area.
Access to Justice Student Editorial Board- is a student-staffed initiative aimed at researching and supporting access to justice projects, including A2J Author projects and other internet related projects.
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association - Students participate in a monthly clinic opportunity at Asian Human Services.
Black Law Students Association - This law student group conducts one major and one minor community service activity every semester.
Chicago-Kent's Environmental Law Society (ELS) focuses on enhancing Chicago-Kent's profile as one of the top-rated environmental law schools. The group promotes sustainability within the law school and helps others do the same; raises eco-consciousness, and encourages personal sustainability throughout the student body. The group also supports students financially in their quest to serve the environment and contribute to the enhancement of the environmental law curriculum.
The International Law Student Association holds program on international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. Chicago-Kent has an international nation-building project in Kosovo and Bosnia that students participate in though travel to those countries and assistance in nation-building there.
Student Bar Association (SBA) - the SBA participates in the Walk Against Breast Cancer and other volunteer fundraising initiatives every year.
Society of Women in Law (WIL) - WIL stages an annual production of the Vagina Monologues with contributions going to Rape Victims Advocates. They also provide law students with summer fellowship opportunities & mentors.
Student Hurricane Network – Law students from across the country formed the Student Hurricane Network (SHN), a national association dedicated to providing assistance to communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The legal questions and problems facing the individuals and communities throughout the Gulf Coast region are monumental in scale, and will remain for years to come. The Chicago-Kent Student Hurricane Network organization was created to support and organize Chicago-Kent students who are interested in providing assistance to legal agencies involved in hurricane-related projects. The organization works with students at Chicago-Kent and around the state of Illinois to coordinate travel and fund-raising efforts for service trips to the areas affected by the hurricanes. The organization also helps match students interested in performing remote research with organizations that are seeking assistance.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund – The Chicago-Kent SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system and raising the profile of the field of animal law.
Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Bloomington)
Public Interest Law Foundation
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
Equal Justice Works, Indianapolis chapter
Inter American University of Puerto Rico: Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law
John Marshall Law School – Atlanta
Public Interest Law Society
Lewis & Clark College School of Law
ACLU Student Group - Student rallies
Criminal Law Society - Speaker series
Environmental Law Caucus - Speaker series
Student Animal Defense Fund - Speaker series and Conference
The Public Interest Law Project - Auction
Liberty University School of Law
None at this time.
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Public Interest Law Society (PILS) - PILS focuses on three areas: community service, pro bono work and searching for and funding public interest internships. Its goal is to increase the number of public interest and pro bono opportunities available to LSU law students by administering a fellowship fund for summer public interest internships and organizing pro bono projects to help the local community during the school year.
Loyola Law School: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Public Interest Law Foundation - PILF is a student-run, non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the careers of law students who choose to work in public interest law by promoting legal employment and involvement opportunities to combat social, political and economic injustices. Each year during the month of October, PILF organizes and sponsors the annual PILF Auction and Casino Night. All proceeds earned at the event are utilized to fund PILF Summer Interest Grants.
Loyola University Chicago: Loyola University Chicago School of Law
American Civil Liberities Union
American Constitution Society
Asian American Law Student Association
Black Law Student Association
Business Law Society
Catholic Laywer's Guild
Child Law Society
Decalogue
Elder Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law Society
Justinian Society
Latino American Law Student Association
Loyola LAMBDA
Loyola Law Republicans
National Lawyers Guild
Public Interest Law Society
Women's Law Society
Loyola University New Orleans: Loyola University New Orleans School of Law
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Loyola Public Interest Law Group
Spanish American Law Students Association (SALSA)
St. Thomas More Society
Marquette University Law School
Public Interest Law Society
Marquette Law Schools most popular and active student organization is the Public Interest Law Society. The purpose of PILS is to act as a resource for Marquette University Law School students interested in public interest law, and to stimulate interest in this area of law. This purpose is carried out by sponsoring programs, seminars, and social activities that deal with current topics in public interest law and by acquainting members with professionals in the community. The PILS is also dedicated to providing community service and enhancing public opinion of the profession. Each year PILS sponsors a Thanksgiving dinner and the PILS “Do Gooders” auction to raise money for the PILS Summer Fellowship program. In addition, PILS sponsors speakers on important public interest issues and appoints a liaison to the State Bar of Wisconsin Public Interest Law Section Board of Directors.
Other student led initiatives, such as the Thomas More Society’s efforts to provide legal education to juveniles at the Detention Center School, the Association of Women Lawyers donation of almost 2000 pounds of law textbooks to law schools in Africa, or the now established National Lawyers Guild alternative spring break trip to New Orleans have garnered their own awards.
Other student organizations which are involved with community service include:
Association for Women in the Law
The Black Law Students Association
Children and Family Law Society
Christian Legal Society
The Health Law Society
The Student Bar Association
Mercer University School of Law
- Public Interest Law Society
Michigan State University College of Law
Contact Information for groups above without websites: http://www.law.msu.edu/directory.php#student
Mississippi College: Mississippi College School of Law
New England School of Law: New England School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union Chapter
Children’s Law Society
Environmental Law Society
National Lawyers Guild Chapter
Public Interest Law Association
Shelter Legal Services Foundation Chapter
Women’s Law Caucus
New York Law School: New York Law School
Public Interest Coalition
Domestic Violence Project
Unemployment Action Center
New York University: New York University School of Law
In addition to the Student-Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects described in detail above, the following student groups are active in public interest issues. Please see http://www.law.nyu.edu/students/studentorganizations/ for a complete list of student groups.
- American Constitution Society
- Coalition for Legal Recruitment
- Cuba Legal Studies Group
- Dean’s Cup
- Education Law and Policy Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Federalist Society
- Health Law Society
- International Law Society
- Law Students Against the Death Penalty
- Law Student Drug Policy Forum
- Law Students for Economic Justice
- Law Students for Reproductive Justice
- Mental Health Law Association
- National Lawyers Guild
- NYU ACLU
- OUTLaw
- Project on Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
- Public Interest Law Foundation (PILC)
- Public Service Auction
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Student Bar Association
- Youth and Criminal Justice Society
North Carolina Central University School of Law
ACLU Chapter
Environmental Law Society
Hispanic Law Students Association
Student Bar Association
Women’s Caucus
Northeastern University: Northeastern University School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union
American Constitution Society
Animal League Defense Fund
Cooperative Income Sharing Program
Criminal Law Society
Ending Prison Industrial Complex
Federalist Society
Human Rights Caucus
International Law Society
Legal Environmental Advocacy Forum
Law Students for Israel
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
National Lawyers Guild, NUSL Chapter
National Security and Law Society
Northeastern Employment & Labor Law Association
Shelter Legal Services, NUSL Chapter
Student Global AIDS Campaign
Society for Restorative Justice
Students for Justice in Palestine
Youth Advocacy Caucus
Northern Illinois University: Northern Illinois University College of Law
Public Interest Law Society - Marla Dickerson Chapter (Equal Justice Works chapter)
Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
The Chase Public Interest Group is a student organization whose mission is to educate future lawyers about the inequities that exist in our legal system, and to prepare them to dedicate their professional efforts to developing a more just society. This group’s activities include hosting speakers from the public interest field, educating students about opportunities in public interest law, participating in public service activities, and raising funds for fellowships for Chase students who accept unpaid summer public interest work.
Northwestern University: Northwestern University School of Law
Advocates for Reproductive Freedom
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Constitution Society
Amnesty International
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Diversity Coalition
The D.R.E.A.M. Society
Environmental Law Society
The Federalist Society
Latino Law Students Association
Law School Democrats
National Lawyers Guild
OUTlaw
Public Interest Law Group
South Asian Law Students Association
St. Thomas More Society
Student Bar Association
Student Effort to Rejuvenate Volunteerism
Student Funded Public Interest Fellowship
Women’s Leadership Coalition
Notre Dame: Notre Dame Law School
- Asian Law Students Association
- Black Law Students of Notre Dame
- Christian Legal Society
- Environmental Law Society
- The Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Systems
- Hispanic American Law Association
- Irish Law Students Association
- Italian Law Students Association
- Jus Vitae of Notre Dame
- The Public Interest Law Forum
- Social Justice Forum
- Society of International Human Rights
- Student Bar Association, Community Services Division
- Women's Legal Forum.
Nova Southeastern University: Shepard Broad Law Center
Public Interest Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Criminal Law Society
Inter-American Center for Human Rights
Ohio Northern Claude W. Pettit College of Law
Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
Advocates For Children: Sponsors a needy local family during the holidays and collects toys and money to be able to deliver items of clothing, toys and food to family.
International Justice Mission: In pursuing the work of justice, the chapter sponsors events at the law school and in the Columbus community to raise awareness of international human rights abuses, organize advocacy and intervention efforts on behalf of victims of that abuse, and raises money to support the International Justice Mission in its work abroad.
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit student organization committed to reducing the financial barriers to working in public interest law. PILF does so by offering summer fellowships to law students who wish to work in the public sector and by educating students about the rewards of pursuing public interest careers.
Oklahoma City University: Oklahoma City University School of Law
Public Interest Law Group
American Constitution Society
Asian-American Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
International Law Society
National Lawyers Guild
PILSO
Women's Association of Law Students
Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law
Information on students organizations including the Public Interest Law Fund, Amnesty International, and the Environmental Law Society can be found at http://law.psu.edu/current_students/student_organizations.
Pepperdine University: Odell McConnell Law Center
Advocates for Public Interest Law – (A) Provides Pepperdine students with opportunities for community service; (B) Makes students aware of career opportunities in public interest law; (C) Works to provide funding for students who wish to pursue careers in public interest law;(D) Encourages students to make pro bono work a part of their careers; and (E) Educates students with regard to the different areas of public interest law and its importance in the legal field
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Animal Law Society
Fundraiser for CT Humane Society Black Law Students Association
Thurgood Marshall Awards, Law education project in community middle school
Brehon Society
Constitutional Law Society
Democratic Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Family & Juvenile Law Society
Family Law Society
International Law Society
Law & Medicine Society
Legal Times/ATLA
Phi Alpha Delta
Probate Law Journal
Public Interest Law Project
SBA
Society for Dispute Resolution
Tax Law Society
Women's Law Society
Regent University: School of Law
Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent (PILAR)
Roger Williams University: School of Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- American Constitution Society (ACS)
- Association for Public Interest Law (APIL)
- Criminal Law Society
- Democratic Law Students Association (DEMS)
- Environmental Law Society (ELS)
- Family Law Society
- International Law Society (ILS)
- Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ)
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (S.A.L.D.F.)
- Tax Law and Business Society (TLBS)
Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Center for Law and Justice (Newark)
Asian/Pacific-American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Association of Black Law Students (ABLS)
Association of Latin-American Law Students
Gay and Lesbian Caucus
Law Students for Choice
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
Rutgers ACLU
Rutgers International Law Society
Student Lawyers Guild
Women's Law Forum
Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey School of Law, Camden
American Constitution Society
Association for Public Interest Law (APIL)
Womens Law Society
Saint John's University School of Law
Saint Louis University: Saint Louis University School of Law
Black Law Student Association
Toys for Tots
Public Interest Law Group
Student Bar Association
Hurrican Katrina Relief, Blood Drives, Tax Assistantce Program
Women's Law Student Association
Project Angel Tree
Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio: St. Mary’s University of San Antonio School of Law
Public Interest Law Association
Saint Thomas University: St. Thomas University School of Law (FL)
- Black Law Student Association (provide legal services with Dade County Legal Aid)
- Catholic Student Lawyers Guild (provide legal aid)
- Environmental Law Society
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers (provide support for Women in DistressGuardian Ad Litem program and middle school law education program)
- Gay & Lesbian Law Student Association
- Hispanic American Law Society (provide immigration legal aid )
- Mock Trial Team (provide high school mock trial coaching)
- National Jewish Law Student Association
- Phi Alpha Delta (provide elementary school law education projects)
- Tax Law Society -VITA (student run tax preparation program for low income persons).
Samford University: Cumberland School of Law
Hispanic Interest Law Students’ Association
Santa Clara University: Santa Clara University School of Law
The Public Interest & Social Justice Coalition (PISJC) is the student arm of the Center for Social Justice and Public Service. The PISJC is a coalition of law students that raises awareness and addresses issues of public interest and social justice. PISJC provides a network for students and unites concerned student organizations engaged in public interest goals. PISJC sponsors Donate-a-day, which fundraises for the Social Justice Summer Grants; and co-sponsors numerous events with other student organizations and the Center. Visit the Coalition http://law.scu.edu/pisjc/index.cfm
There are a host of other student organizations whose mission includes a commitment to public interest and social justice including but not limited to:
American Civil Liberties Union-Northern California
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)Amnesty International
National Lawyers Guild
Seattle University: Seattle University School of Law
American Constitutional Society (ACS)
Black Law Students Association
Dispute Resolution Board
Hispanic Organization for Legal Advancement (HOLA)
Labor and Employment Law Association
Outlaws
Public Interest Law Foundation
Student Bar Association (SBA)
Seton Hall University: Seton Hall University School of Law
American Constitutional Society (ACS)
Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
Health Law Forum
International Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
Public Interest Auction Committee
Public Interest Network (PIN)
Republicans
Student Bar Association
Student Outreach Society
South Texas College: South Texas College of Law
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Equal Justice Works
Law Day Event - (Providing Legal Services to the Community)
Law School Democrats
Law School Republicans
Lesbian and Gay Law Student Association
Phi Alpha Delta
Student Bar Association
Women's Law Forum
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Southern University Law Center
Southwestern University: Southwestern Law School
Asian-Pacific-American Law Student Association
Black Law Students Association
General Relief Advocacy Program
Immigration Law Students Association
Latino Law Students Association
Native American Law Students Association
OUTlaw
Public Interest Law Committee
Student Bar Association
Tax Law Society
Teen Court Student Association
Women’s Law Association
SLS public interest student groups have a variety of purposes, from focusing on specific practice areas like Environmental Law and International Law, to addressing the needs and interest of traditionally underrepresented groups, like Native American law students and queer students. Please visit http://www.law.stanford.edu/students/life/orgs.html for more information on these organizations.
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Asian and Pacific Islander Law Students Association (APILSA)
- Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
- China Law and Policy Association
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Society
- Criminal Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- National Lawyers Guild
- Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
- OUTLAW
- Public Interest Coalition
- Shaking the Foundations
- Stanford Association for Law in the Middle East
- Stanford BioLaw and Health Policy Society
- Stanford International Human Rights Association
- Stanford International Law Society
- Stanford Law School Energy Club
- Stanford Law Students for Reproductive Justice
- Stanford Latino Law Students Association (SLLSA)
- Stanford National Security and the Law Society
- Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation (SPILF)
- Street Law
- The Voting Rights Project
- Women of Stanford Law
- Youth and Education Advocates at Stanford
Stetson University: Stetson University College of Law
American Bar Association – Law Student Division
Public Service Fellows
Equal Justice Works
Calvin Kuenzel Student Bar Association
American Civil Liberties Union – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Environmental Law Society – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
National Lawyers Guild - http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Shelter Legal Services – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Suffolk Public Interest Law Group – http://www.law.suffolk.edu/highlights/stuorgs/orgs.cfm
Syracuse University: College of Law
Syracuse Public Interest Network http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/index.aspx
Temple University: James E. Beasley School of Law
Student Public Interest Network (SPIN)
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Texas Tech University School of Law
The Student Public Interest Initiative (SPII) is a student-run organization established in 2002. Its mission is to raise funds for (1) summer stipends for students doing public interest internships and (2) loan forgiveness or loan repayment for Tech law students who choose to work in public interest jobs upon graduation. In addition, students have been involved in promoting public interest work through career fairs and other activities, including assisting with client intake through Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. The organization has been successful in raising money each year through an Annual Talent Show and Auction to support public interest work.
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law: Thomas Jefferson School of Law
ABA/ LAW Student Division
ADR Society
APALSA
ATLA
Black Law Students Assoc
Enviromental Law Society
Family Law Society
Federalist Society
National Lawyers Guild
OUTLAW
PAD
Public Interest Law Foundation
SBA
TJSL Tax Society
Women's Law Association
Cooley student organizations having public interest initiatives include the ABA Law Student Division, the Student Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, the Asian Pacific American Student Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Black Law Student Association, the Christian Legal Society, the Federalist Society, the Human Rights Alliance, the Jewish Law Students Association, the Native American Law Students Association, the St. Thomas More Society, and the Women's Law Alliance. Students are encouraged to become involved in an area that interests them. If a chartered organization does not exist in a student’s area of interest they are able to initiate one by obtaining a faculty sponsor and organizing.
Touro College: Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Public Interest Law of Touro - Hosted 2005 Cover Retreat, Held fundraiser for Loan Forgiveness; Sponsored Speakers Series
Tulane University: Tulane University School of Law
Student Public Interest Groups– see http://www.law.tulane.edu/tlsOrgs/pilf/
University at Buffalo Law School, SUNY
Asian American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Buffalo Public Interest Law Program
Latin American Law Students Association
Native American Law Students Association
Outlaw
Progressive Law Society
University of Akron: C. Blake McDowell Law Center
Akron Public Interest Law Society (APILS): APILS is highly involved in public interest endeavors. Activities include inviting public interest related groups to speak at Akron Law. APILS members have volunteered at the CASA Guardian Ad Litem Program of Summit County as well as Community Legal Aid. APILS members have been involved in pro bono research projects, mediation at the Akron Municipal Court and have served food at a local homeless shelter. Members of APILS have attended the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair and many other public interest conferences.
The Student Bar Association (SBA): The SBA is actively involved with public interest issues. The SBA Auction represents a portion of the monies used to fund the PIFP fellowships. The SBA fosters a cooperative working relationship with Habitat for Humanity.
Other Student Group community service and pro bono activities include:
Asian-Latino Students Association / Black Law Students Association: Students tutor school children in the local area.
Law Association for Women (LAW): LAW regularly and historically coordinates Red Cross blood drives, as well as food, clothing and gift drives for area shelters and agencies.
Phi Alpha Delta: Phi Alpha Delta regularly and historically conducts canned goods drives.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL): NACDL regularly and historically coordinates public interest speakers at brown bag dinners.
Street Law: Students volunteer with local attorneys and high school teachers to teach academic courses in local public schools on the issues of law and public citizenship.
University of Alabama: University of Alabama School of Law
Public Interest Student Board
Black Law Student Association
Civil Rights Law Students Association
International Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta
Student Bar Association
Student Farrah
Dorbin Society
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Black Law Students Association
Criminal Law Association
Federalist Society
International Law Society
Law Women's Association
National Lawyers Guild
Phi Delta Phi
Pride Law
Public Interest Law Organization
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Chapter, ACLU
University of Arkansas at Little Rock: William H. Bowen School of Law
None.
University of Arkansas School of Law
- ABA Law Student Division
- Christian Legal Society
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Equal Justice Works
- Environmental Law
- Asian Law Student Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Women Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
- Community Life Committee
University of Baltimore School of Law
University of California - Irvine School of Law
University of California - Los Angeles
University of California at Davis: University of California at Davis School of Law
The King Hall Legal Foundation (KHLF) http://www.law.ucdavis.edu/khlf/
KHLF is a student run nonprofit public interest foundation independent of the School of Law. Founded in 1978, KHLF is dedicated to promoting law and law related efforts in the public interest and to address the needs of those without adequate access to legal services. KHLF supports public interest law internships and provides financial and other assistance to students involved in public interest projects.
KHLF is financed by contributions from King Hall students, alumni, and community members. Student members are responsible for directing fundraising efforts, recruiting members, and coordinating summer projects. KHLF also hosts an annual Spring Auction to raise funds to award summer public interest fellowships to first and second year law students.
National Lawyers Guild
ACLU
La Raza
Davis Refugee Aid Project
University of California, Berkeley: University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
- Advocates for Youth Justice
- American Constitution Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
- Berkeley Law Foundation
- Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative
- Boalt Environmental Law Society
- Berkeley Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights
- Boalt Disability Law Society
- Boalt Hall Democrats
- Boalt Hall Federalist Society
- Boalt Hall Labor Coalition
- Boalt Hall Women's Association
- California Asylum Representation Clinic (CARC)
- Coalition for Diversity
- Community Legal Outreach
- Critical Race Scholars Society
- East Bay Community Law Center Steering Committee
- East Bay Workers' Rights Clinic
- Expulsion Representation Clinic
- Juvenile Hall Outreach
- La Raza Law Students Association
- Law Students for Justice in Palestine
- Law Students for Reproductive Justice
- Law Students of African Descent
- Middle Eastern Law Students Association
- National Lawyers Guild, Berkeley Law Chapter
- Native American Law Students Association
- Pilipino American Law Society
- Queer Caucus
- San Quentin Restorative Justice Program
- South Asian Law Students Association
- Social Justice Student Network
- STudents OPposed to Domestic Violence (STOP DV)
- Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice Student Advisory Board
- Women of Color Collective
University of California-Hastings College of the Law
Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation
Hastings Race & Poverty Law Journal
Hastings-to-Haiti Partnership
Hastings Environmental Law Society
Hastings Chapter, National Lawyers Guild
Clara Foltz Feminist Association
Hastings Race and Poverty Law Organization
Hastings Post-Katrina Organization
A full list of student organizations can be viewed at:
http://www.uchastings.edu/student-services/student-orgs/index.html
University of Chicago: University of Chicago Law School
PILS: The Public Interest Law Society of the University of Chicago aims to expose students to the wide breadth of public interest law by: fostering clear conceptions of the myriad ways lawyers can serve the public interest; working with fellow organizations to help students explore public interest activities while in law school; and linking law students to career opportunities in the public interest. PILS works with other student organizations and career services to host numerous informational and networking events throughout the year, connecting students to the public interest sphere. http://www.law.uchicago.edu/studentorgs/pils
CLF: The Chicago Law Foundation (CLF) is a student-directed, not-for-profit group that awards grants to law students who devote their summers to working in the public interest and bar study grants to graduating students entering the public sector.
University of Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati College of Law
ICLAP
National Lawyers Guild – Visiting Speaker
Public Interest Law Group (PILG) – Public interest fundraisers
Student Bar Association – Community Service Event
University of Colorado: School of Law
The Public Interest Law Student Association (PISA) works to create student awareness of public interest opportunities during law school and after, and works to raise funds for a public interest summer fellowship for students doing unpaid public interest legal work during their summers. PISA has organized students to volunteer at "Legal Night" in Denver where students are paired with an experienced volunteer attorney and help members of the community get information - free of charge - in the areas of immigration, credit, housing, landlord/tenant issues, employment and family law. Additionally, PISA, along with other students, organized a panel to address the Governor's proposed budget cuts to the Aid to the Needy and Disabled program. Since the Governor's office has announced funding will continue, the panel will be re-focused to address more general funding needs of the needy and disabled communities of Colorado. PISA always encourages its members to be proactive and volunteer in the community.
The Juvenile and Family Law Club is engaged in pro bono work by hosting a legal night program with local attorneys to give basic legal advice to victims of domestic violence. This student organization is also involved in the community by providing dinner for a local women’s shelter every second Tuesday of the month and they also tutor students at West Denver Prep High School.
The Women’s Law Caucus is dedicated to the awareness of women’s issues in the legal profession. engaged in pro bono work by sponsoring fellowships for students who work in unpaid legal work relating to women’s issues over the summer. In addition, the WLC will be hosting a canned food drive for Thanksgiving and they serve as annual volunteers for Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non Violence’s Chocolate Lovers Fling
.The ACLU is community oriented and dedicated to ensuring civil liberty protection locally, state-wide, and nationally. The ACLU is engaged in pro bono work by getting involved as legal observers, legislative lobbying, and “Know Your Rights Trainings.” The group also reaches out to the immigrant community regarding rights protections.
The Environmental Law Society is concerned with public interest environmental issues. It is engaged in pro bono work by getting involved in political canvassing for candidates who are friendly to the environment in the 2008 election. In addition, the ELS sponsors fellowships for members who work in unpaid summer public interest positions. Each year $7000 is given to four to six members who work in unpaid positions. This student organization is also involved in the community by getting involved with environmental clean-up and restoration activities.
The Latino Law Students Association sponsors a citizenship drive each semester to help immigrants complete paperwork to become U.S. citizens. The citizenship process can often be a frightening and trying experience for those who have difficulty understanding the complex forms and processes. In addition to overcoming a language barrier, most of the immigrants are from economically disadvantaged families or migrant farm workers who would not otherwise receive organized assistance. Not only have LLSA members used their foreign language skills to assist in the process, acting as interpreters between immigration experts and potential citizens, but also they have used their legal knowledge to answer questions and guide immigrants through the process. With the help of lawyers, judges, and other immigration experts, LLSA has assisted over 100 immigrants in the citizenship process.
University of Connecticut: University of Connecticut School of Law
The Law School has a Public Interest Law Group (the Law School's Equal Justice Works chapter) devoted to promoting public interest/public service. This group hosts an annual auction, funds numerous summer grants, and organizes various events highlighting public interest/public service topics throughout the academic year.
The Law School also has an emerging on-line journal, the Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal, whose first issue was published electronically in fall 2001.
The Connecticut Unemployment Action Center (CUAC) is another student group on campus that engages in public service activities. The CUAC represents unemployment insurance claimants in the greater Hartford area.
The Law School also has many other groups that host organized public service, including Amnesty International, the Women Law Students' Association, Phi Alpha Delta and the Student Bar Association.
University of Dayton: University of Dayton School of Law
Public Interest Law Organization
Student Volunteer Lawyers' Project
University of Denver: Sturm College of Law
Amnesty International
Disability Law Club
Diversity Advocates
DULaw Partnership with Community Day (DPCD)
Helping Empower Through Alternative Resolution
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Law Students' Association
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
The Asian Pacific American Law Students' Association
The Black Law Students' Association
The Child Legal Advocacy Group
The DU Outlaws
The Elder Law Society (ELS)
The Immigration Law Student Association
The Jewish Law Students' Association
The Latino Law Students' Association
The National Resources & Environmental Law Society
The Public Interest Law Group
The Ralph Timothy Potter Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The Social Justice Action Group
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
University of Florida: Fredric G. Levin College of Law
ABA-Law Student Division
Amilie Poulion
Association for Public Interest Law
Caribean Law Student Association
Christian Legal Society
Environmental and Land Use Society
FAMILY LAW SOCIETY
John Marshall Bar Association
Law Association for Women
Military Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Phi Alpha Delta
University of Georgia School of Law
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Equal Justice Works
- Environmental Law Association
- Asian Law Student Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Federalist Society
- Gay and Lesbian Legal Network
- Hispanic Law Students Association
- Jewish Law Student Association
- Women Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Houston Law Center
Public Interest Law Organization
University of Idaho: College of Law
Public Interest Law Group. The Public Interest Law Group (PILG) serves law student contemplating careers in public interest law by providing stipends so that meritorious law students are able to accept unpaid public interest internships. The Group also forges contacts with successful public interest attorneys and organizations, provides public service volunteer opportunities, helps students navigate the challenges unique to the application process for public interest jobs and internships, and raises the visibility of public interest law at the University of Idaho.
University of Illinois College of Law
The dynamics of the student body allow the College of Law to present a wide diversity of public interest groups which vary on an annual basis in light of student interest and demands. In addition to the following organizations which are annually made available to the student body, the College also entertains proposals for new groups previously not available or on new and emerging issues.
- American Civil Liberties Union-College of Law Chapter
- American Constitution Society for Law & Public Policy
- AMICUS
- Disability Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Health Law Society
- Loan Repayment Assistance Program Exploratory Committee
- Prisoners' Right Research Project
- Public Interest Law Foundation
- Public Service Task Force
- Sexual Orientation & Legal Issues Society
- Society for Legal Assistance to Abused Women
University of Iowa College of Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
American Constitution Society for Law & Policy
Asian American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Foundation
Federalist Society
Intellectual Property Law Society
International Law Society
Iowa Campaign for Human Rights
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jewish Law Student Association
Latino Law Students Association
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Middle Eastern Law Student Association
Native American Law Student Association
Organization for Women Law Students and Staff
Outlaws
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Delta Phi
Pro Bono Society
University of Kansas: School of Law
Advocates for Life
American Constitution Society
Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter
Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Christian Legal Society
Federalist Society
Global Lawyers Society
Green Law Society
Health Law Society
Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA)
International Law Society
Islamic Law Students Association
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Native American Law Students Association
Non-Traditionals in Law Association
OUTLaws & Allies
Public Interest Law Society (PILS)
St. Thomas More Society
Traffic Court
VITA
University of Kentucky College of Law
The Student Public Interest Law Foundation ("SPILF") is a student group at the College of Law that focuses on public interest issues and public interest employment. The Associate Dean for Career Services (Susan Steele, 859-257-8320) each year seeks a grant on behalf of SPILF from the Kentucky Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (“I.O.L.T.A.”) Fund to support summer public interest fellowships for students. The amount included in any grant is supplemented by funds that students raise through activities like the annual student auction for SPILF. Students then apply to receive grants to support summer work for public interest groups.
University of Louisville: Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Student Bar Foundation - Charity Auction to fund student public interest fellowships
Brandeis Equal Justice Committee (Equal Justice Works chapter).
University of Maine School of Law
Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL)
Environment Law Association
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
University of Maryland: University of Maryland School of Law
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/students/life/orgs/
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Public Action Law Society
Student Bar Association
Black Law Students Association
University of Miami School of Law
The Public Interest Leadership Board is comprised of HOPE Fellows, Miami Scholars, project leaders and volunteers who play an instrumental role in the programming and policy setting for public interest initiatives.
University of Michigan: University of Michigan Law School
There's no shortage of active student groups focusing on public service issues and performing community service, including the Organization of Public Interest Students, the Michigan Election Law Project and the Student Network for Asylum and Refugee Law. For a complete list of such student groups, please visit: http://www.law.umich.edu/journalsandOrgs/orgs.htm.
University of Minnesota: University of Minnesota Law School
Public Interest Law Student Association: PILSA is a student advocacy organization focused on enhancing the U of M Law School’s programs for students pursuing public interest careers.
Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Chapter: The MJF Student Chapter fundraises for summer public interest clerkships for students. They also serve as advisors for the MJF Staff Attorney and organize public interest oriented programs for the general law student body.
University of Mississippi School of Law
University of Missouri - Columbia: School of Law
American Constitution Society
ACLU Student Chapter
Law Students for a Better Community
Missouri Equal Justice Foundation
National Lawyers' Guild
Public Interest Law Association
University of Missouri Kansas City University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law
- Public Interest Law Association
- Pro Bono/Public Interest Committee (students are chosen to work on committee with Pro Bono/Public Interest Committee Faculty members to help improve programs at the school)
- Midwestern Innocence Project Student Organization
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
- National Lawyer’s Guild
- Constitutional Law Society
- Federalist Society
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Animal Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Family Law Society
- International Law Society
- Association of Women Law Students
- Black Law Students Association
- Hispanic Law Student Association
- Outlaws
- Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Association
- Christian Legal Society
- Jewish Law Student Association
University of Montana: University of Montana School of Law
American Association for Justice
ACLU – UM Law Student Chapter
American Constitution Society
Christian Legal Society
Environmental Law Group
Federalist Society
International Law Student Association
Military Law Society
Montana Law Review
Montana Public Interest Law Group
Native American Law Student Assocation
Phi Delta Phi
Public Lands and Resources Law Review
Rural Advocacy League
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Bar Association
Women’s Law Caucus
University of Nebraska: University of Nebraska College of Law
Equal Justice Society
Nebraska Fund for Clerkships in the Public Interest
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: William S. Boyd School of Law
Public Interest Law Students Association – PILA is a student organization that promotes public interest and public service activities. Each year PILA raises funds to provide summer grants to students who work in non-profit or government agencies representing underserved or indigent populations.
University of New Hampshire School of Law
University of New Hampshire law students get involved in participating and helping the law school and local New Hampshire communities. Student-initiated groups focused on public interest include:
- The Public Interest Coalition (PIC)
- Women’s Law Student Association
- Teen Court
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity
- Black Law Student Association
- Constitutional Law Society
- Christian Legal Society
- Lambda Legal
- Significant Others and Spouses Organization
- Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
University of New Mexico School of Law
The Association for Public Interest Law at UNM.
University of North Carolina: University of North Carolina School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union - Carolina Law Chapter
American Constitution Society
Carolina Law School Republicans Society
Carolina Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Carolina Law Young Democrats
Carolina Public Interest Law Organization (C-PILO)
Center for Civil Rights-Civil Rights Appellate Advocacy Team
Conference on Race, Class, Gender & Ethnicity
Federalist Society
Feminist Action Initiative
Health Law and Policy Association
National Lawyers Guild
University of North Dakota School of Law
University of Oklahoma College of Law
University of Oregon: University of Oregon School of Law
Coalition Against Environmental Racism (CAER)
Land Air Water
Oregon Innocence Project
Oregon Law Students Public Interest Fund
Phi Alpha Delta
Public Interest Public Service Program
Womens Law Forum
University of Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Law School
Equal Justice Foundation
This organziation hosts an annual auction for fund students pursuing summer internships in public interest.
University of Pittsburgh: School of Law
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation (PLISF), Student Hurricane Network. Additionally, various student organizations host pro bono and public interest events throughout the year.
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
University of Richmond T. C. Williams School of Law
University of Saint Thomas: School of Law (MN)
University of San Diego School of Law
Law Student Public Interest Law Foundation
Pro Bono Legal Advocates
University of San Francisco School of Law
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
University of South Carolina: University of South Carolina School of Law
James L. Petigru Public Interest Law Society
Women in Law
University of South Dakota School of Law
Women In Law (WIL)
Law Fraternities
Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Public Interest Law Group (helps provide support donated through fund-raising activities to help students pay travel expenses while working pro bono )
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
American Constitution Society
Community Service Affairs Committee
Diversity Affairs Committee
Federalists Society
Latin Law Students Association
Legal Aid Alternative Break
USC Black Law Student Association
USC Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association
USC Gay and Lesbian Law Union
USC Public Interest Law Foundation
USC Street Law
University of Tennessee College of Law
The following student organizations have participated in various public interest initiatives: TAPIL (Tennessee Association for Public Interest Law); Criminal Law Society; Child Law Society; UT Pro Bono; Law Women; Black Law Student Association; Environmental Law Organization
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Domestic Violence Survivor Support Network, http://www.utexas.edu/law/orgs/dvssn
Environmental Law Society
Human Rights Law Society, http://www.utexas.edu/law/orgs/hrls/
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
National Lawyers Guild - University of Texas Law School Chapter
Pro Bono in January, http://texaspbj.blogspot.com
Public Interest Law Association
Street Law, http://www.streetlawtexas.org
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Texas Law Fellowships, http://www.texaslawfellowships.org
University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
Many of the David A. Clarke School of Law student organizations allow students to contribute directly to the public interest in a wide range of areas and are involved in service projects. A sampling of such student organizations recognized by the School of Law are:
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Pacific McGeorge boasts an involved and committed student body, represented many of the student groups on campus:
American Constitution Society
American Association for Justice
Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
Environmental Law Society
Governmental Affairs Student Association (GASA)
International Justice Mission
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jewish Law Student Association
Lambda Law Students Association
Latina/o Law Students Association
McGeorge Animal Law Society
McGeorge Business and Tax Society
McGeorge Federalist Society
McGeorge Health Law Association
Middle Eastern/South Asian Association (MESAA)
OWLS: Older Wiser Law Students
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Delta Phi
Public Legal Services Society
Women's Caucus
University of Toledo: College of Law
The College of Law supports a number of student public interest groups, including the Public Interest Law Association (PILA), the Student Hurricane Network (SHN), Women Law Student Association (WLSA), OutLaw, and the Environmental Law Society.
University of Tulsa: College of Law
Public Interest Law Society
Women’s Law Caucus
Paw Law
Christian Legal Society
Black Law Students Association
Hispanic Law Student Association
Native American Law Students Association
Military Law Society
Phi Alpha Delta
ABA/Law Student Division
Family Law Society
J. Ruben Clark Society
University of Utah College of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
ACLU-UVA Law
Federalist Society
Legal Assistance Project
Virginia Employment and Labor Law Association
Virginia Environmental Law Forum
University of Washington: University of Washington School of Law
American Civil Liberties Union
American Constitution Society
Center for Human Rights & Justice
Center for Labor & Employment Justice
Disability Law Alliance
Disorient: Critical Legal Journal of the Northwest
Federalist Society
The Forum on Law & Policy
GreenLaw
Immigrant Families Advocacy Project
Innocence Project NW-Student Chapter
Law students for Reproductive Justice
National Lawyers Guild
Outlaws
Public Interest Law Association
Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
University of Wisconsin: Law School
American Civil Liberties Union
American Constitution Society
Children’s Justice Project
Environmental Law Society
National Lawyers Guild
Public Interest Law Foundation
University of Wyoming School of Law
Valparaiso University: Valparaiso University School of Law
Valpo Law has over 20 student organizations. Below is a sampling of those groups with a public interest focus:
American Civil Liberties Union
Equal Justice Alliance
Just Democracy
Valparaiso Environmental Law Society
Vanderbilt University Law School
American Constitution Society
Black Law Students Association
Criminal Law Society
Health Law Society
Latin American Law Society
Legal Aid Society
Vanderbilt Alternative Dispute Resolution Organization
Vanderbilt Bar Association
Women Law Student Association
Alliance
Asian Pacific Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Environmental Law Society
Equal Justice Foundation
Latin American Law Students Association
Law Students for Choice
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Society
Solutions Conference
Women's Law Group
Villanova University: Villanova University School of Law
Family Law Society
Latin American Law Students Association
Public Interest Fellowship Program
Women's Law Caucus
Wake Forest University School of Law
Primary:
Public Interest Initiative
Public Interest Law Organization (PILO)
Student Groups with Significant Public Interest Focus:
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
Youth Advocacy Group (YAG)
Teen Court
Phi Alpha Delta
Innocence Project (works on projects with the Winston-Salem-based Darryl Hunt Project for Freedom and Justice)
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
Domestic Violence Advocacy Center (DVAC)
Civil Liberties Union
Environmental Law Society
Washburn University School of Law
- WAPIL
- National Lawyers' Guild
- Criminal Justice Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
Washington and Lee University: School of Law
Washington University: Washington University School of Law
Wayne State University Law School
Public Interest Law Association; Free Legal Aid Clinic, Inc.; Hurricane Relief Network
West Virginia University College of Law
Public Interest Advocates
SBA
WV Fund for Law in the Public Interest
Western New England College: School of Law
American Constitution Society
Christian Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Just-Us street law program
MCLSA (Multi-Cultural Law Students Association)
Multi-Cultural Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Student Bar Association
Western State University College of Law
Association for Human Rights Awareness
Criminal Law Association
National Lawyers Guild
VITA
Whittier Law School: Whittier Law School
Center for Children's Rights fellows
WPILF
Widener University School of Law--Delaware Campus
All Student Organizations
The Public Interest Law Alliance
Women's Law Caucus
Willamette University: Willamette University College of Law
- American Constitution Society
- Christian Legal Society
- Environmental Law Society
- J. Reuben Clark Society
- Multicultural Law Students Association
- Phi Alpha Delta
- The Project (Public Interest Project)
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Willamette Students for Civil Liberties
- WiLLO (Willamette Lambda Legal Organization)
William and Mary School of Law
The following student organizations have a public interest mission and/or sponsor public interest activities:
American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Constitution Society
Asian-American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Bone Marrow Drive Committee
Children's Advocacy Law Society
Christian Legal Society
De Vecino a Vecino
Election Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
George Wythe Society of Citizen Lawyers
Institute of Bill of Rights Law Student Division
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
LGBT Equality Alliance
Military and Veterans Law Society
Multicultural Law Students Association
National Lawyers Guild
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Delta Phi
Public Service Fund
St. Thomas More Society
Spring Break Service Trips
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Bar Association
Student Legal Services
Students for Equality in Legal Education
Students for the Innocence Project
Virginia Bar Association Student Division
Women’s Law Society
William Mitchell College of Law: William Mitchell College of Law
American Constitutional Society - invite and promote public interest speakers on campus
National Lawyer's Guild
Elder Law and Estate Planning Society and the Center for Elder Justice and Policy– sponsors National Healthcare Decisions Day, where law students and alumni provide free assistance to anyone who wishes to complete an advance health care directive.
Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Chapter - sponsors or facilitates mentor activities, raises money for summer Public Interest Legal Fellowships, sponsors the Pro Se Clinic, and organizes several educational programs on public interest topics such as access to justice and living in poverty.
Law Students for Legal Disaster Relief –was created to sustain the work of law students who volunteered with legal organizations in the Gulf Coast region following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The organization is committed to providing assistance to the lingering legal effects of disaster, not only in the Gulf Coast region but elsewhere in the country.
PLP Program (Perspectives on the Legal Profession) - a wide variety of student organizations present speakers on public interest topics such as community development, election protection, and homelessness.
Yale University: Yale Law School
- Black Law Students Association
- The Capital Assistance Project
- Green Haven Prison Project
- The Initiative for Public Interest Law at Yale, Inc.
- Latino Law Students Association
- New Haven Cares
- OutLaws
- Pro Bono Network
- Rebellious Lawyering Conference
- Street Law
- Student/Faculty Alliance for Military Equality
- Temporary Restraining Order Project
- Women and Youth Supporting Each Other
- Workers' Rights Project
- Yale AIDS Network
- Yale Incentive for Public Interest Employment
- Yale Law Women
- Yale Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Youth Rights Media
Yeshiva University: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Cardozo Advocates for Battered Women
Cardozo Advocates for Kids
Cardozo Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Cardozo National Lawyers Guild
Cardozo Students for Human Rights
Cardozo Unemployment Action Center
Cardozo Youth Advocates
Labor and Employment Law Society
Outlaw, Gay and Lesbian Law Students Association
Public Interest Law Students Association
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
