Public Interest
The Vanderbilt Law School Public Interest Office prepares students for fulfilling and sustainable public interest careers through robust advising, programming, and community support. It fosters a culture of public service by providing the vision, training, and opportunities to serve the greater good both during and after law school.
The Vanderbilt Law School Public Interest Office prepares students for fulfilling and sustainable public interest careers through robust advising, programming, and community support. It fosters a culture of public service by providing the vision, training, and opportunities to serve the greater good both during and after law school.
Opportunities for public service begin at orientation, withJustice for All: Public Interest, Pro Bono, and the Law, an optional session that provides an opportunity to interact with Vanderbilt Law faculty and public interest law practitioners. We encourage students to take the pro bono pledge, a commitment to completing 75 hours of pro bono legal work and community service during law school. The Public Interest Office facilitates pro bono and service opportunities, including the Woodbine Immigration Clinic, the Shade Tree Medical-Legal Partnership and Court Watch programs. Many students also pursue summer and semester work in legal nonprofits, government agencies, prosecutors’ offices, or public defense offices. These students often receive course credit or summer stipends funded by the law school to help defray living expenses.
The Public Interest Office coordinates pro bono opportunities and hosts in-person programming, like a Public Interest Bootcamp and the Public Interest Community Conversations series, to prepare students seeking a career in public interest law. The office also works closely with Vanderbilt Law’sGeorge Barrett Social Justice Programto offer comprehensive, hands-on training and mentoring, specifically designed to prepare graduates for work in the public interest.
Vanderbilt offers expert advice, a variety of written resources, and targeted support to students seeking public interest careers – whether in indigent defense, legal aid offices, nonprofit organizations, or their own brand of social justice entrepreneurship.The Assistant Dean for Public Interestworks with theOffice of Career Servicesto support students who aspire to public service work during and after law school. Students pursuing careers in government service have access to the expert advice of Vanderbilt’s government advisor within the Office of Career Services.
Fill out the form below to receive a copy of thePublic Interest Career Guidecreated by our Public Interest Office to help you determine the next steps in your law school journey.
"I wanted the chance to be in an environment that was academically rigorous but also supportive, and throughout my experience as a 1L, Vanderbilt has been a place where I have been supported while also being challenged."
“Working with Vanderbilt Legal Aid has been my most meaningful extracurricular experience. It was a great opportunity to build on offered pro bono programs and connect with a community of students pursuing public interest work.”
Assistant Dean and Martha Craig Daughtrey Director for Public Interest
Utilizing cutting-edge tools like Public Interest Legal Research (PILR)—an online portal where public interest law practitioners can submit research requests and projects for Vanderbilt Law students to perform remotely—adds depth to student experience and can alleviate hurdles facing public interest attorneys. PILR allows practitioners to submit research requests that Vanderbilt Law Students can complete on deadline.
Executive Summary
The Vanderbilt Law School Public Interest Office provides comprehensive support to students pursuing public interest careers through advising, programming, and community engagement. The office fosters a culture of public service, offering opportunities for pro bono work, internships, and career guidance. Students can participate in various programs, such as the Woodbine Immigration Clinic and the Shade Tree Medical-Legal Partnership, and receive support for summer and semester work in legal nonprofits and government agencies.
Key Points
- ▸ Comprehensive support for public interest careers
- ▸ Pro bono opportunities and community engagement
- ▸ Career guidance and internship support
Merits
Holistic Approach
The Public Interest Office provides a holistic approach to public interest careers, offering a range of support services and opportunities for students to engage in pro bono work and community service.
Practical Experience
The office provides students with practical experience through internships and pro bono work, preparing them for careers in public interest law.
Demerits
Limited Funding
The availability of funding for summer stipends and course credit may be limited, which could impact students' ability to pursue public interest work.
Expert Commentary
The Vanderbilt Law School Public Interest Office's approach to supporting students pursuing public interest careers is exemplary. By providing a range of support services, including pro bono opportunities, internships, and career guidance, the office is well-positioned to foster a culture of public service and promote social justice. However, the office may face challenges in securing funding to support student engagement in public interest work, highlighting the need for ongoing support and resources.
Recommendations
- ✓ Increase funding for summer stipends and course credit to support students pursuing public interest work
- ✓ Develop partnerships with legal nonprofits and government agencies to provide more opportunities for students to engage in public interest work
