preLaw - Back to School 2007 - (Page 44) specialties PUBLIC INTEREST What is public interest law? A public interest law career gives an attorney an opportunity to make a tangible difference in our society. He or she typically chooses to devote all their time and energy to a particular cause or agenda. Public interest lawyers are identified by the organizations with which they are affiliated and the issue on which they work, whether it’s civil rights, women’s issues, education or prisoner issues and rights. Public interest lawyers also work for the government in the federal, state or local government sectors. They make a generous commitment to pro bono work, providing them with a unique opportunity to acquire new areas of expertise. along with a sense of humor. Many public interest lawyers represent There are a variety of classes to take indigent individuals — representing them when interested in pursuing the public on domestic issues, Social Security, unem- interest specialty, which include family law, ployment compensation and landlord/ten- immigration law, bankruptcy, evidence and civil procedure. Public interest partnerant disputes. The daily activities vary with the sector ships, networking and volunteer opportuof practice with much of their time spent nities will help you succeed in this field. counseling clients. Most enter the Where to study field because they have a strong interBenjamin N. Cardozo UCLA School of Law est in public service School of Law University of LaVerne or personally helping Chicago-Kent someone. A public University of Oregon interest attorney also DePaul University University of Tulsa has strong interperGolden Gate University University of Wisconsin sonal communicaGonzaga University Mississippi College tion skills, patience Santa Clara University and the ability to John Marshall Law-Chicago cope with a crisis. Seattle University Lewis & Clark Law School Foreign language Thomas Jefferson skills are a plus, 44 preLaw http://www.law.syr.edu http://www.law.syr.edu
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