PUBLIC INTEREST & PRO BONO

Public Interest & Pro Bono Opportunities at GW

The faculty and administration of the Law School believe that active participation in public interest activities is not only a professional obligation, but a great enhancement to the enjoyment and meaning of the practice of law as well. Therefore, the School endeavors to provide its students with a high degree of encouragement and support to participate in meaningful public interest activities.

A student–faculty Public Interest Committee publicizes and encourages student participation in volunteer legal activities within the Law School and in the greater Washington, D.C., community. The Committee organizes Law School events that bring together students and a number of public service providers, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, D.C. Employment Justice Center, and the Legal Aid Society of D.C.

The Committee also administers the Law School’s Pro Bono Program, which extends special commendation to students who engage in a certain number of pro bono hours while attending the Law School.

In addition, the Student Bar Association sponsors a fall student group fair at which all students, and especially first-year students, can learn about the various student organizations, including those that focus on public interest (e.g., Amnesty International Legal Support Group, Environmental Law Association, Equal Justice Foundation, and National Lawyer’s Guild). The Career Development Office actively promotes public interest opportunities for students.

One career-related opportunity of special note is the Equal Justice Works career fair, which is held each fall in Washington, D.C. At this career fair, the largest of its kind, students gain exposure to hundreds of organizations that perform public interest legal work.