Welcome

Why do Pro Bono

Develop a Public Interest Career

Finance a Public Interest Career

Helpful Materials

"In engaging in public service, law students are awakened to the sense of personal
satisfaction that comes from helping people, a feeling
they are not likely to experience in their other
classes."

--Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Welcome!

Welcome to the world of public interest law! Whether you are a law student just starting out, a law graduate, or considering law school for the first time, congratulations on taking your first step to accessing information about public interest legal work and pro bono opportunities for law students! This website exists to support you as you navigate through the exciting, and often tumultuous world of public interest law!

PIC’s hope is that this website will provide a clearinghouse of information to be accessed by all law students who are interested in engaging in pro bono work today and who are planning a career in public interest law for the future!

Our site provides general information about doing pro bono work as a law student, exploring a career in public interest law, financing a career or opportunity in public interest law, and other helpful materials for law students. So, take a look around and start your career today!

About current PIC Programs for Law Students:

The Public Interest Clearinghouse is currently working with California law students in many ways. Two activities of particular note include hosting an annual career fair and facilitating the Public Interest Law Program (PILP) for member schools.

PI/PS Day

Every February for the past 22 years,, the Public Interest Clearinghouse and the Consortium of Northern California Law Schools host the annual Public Interest/Public Sector Legal Careers Day (PI/PS Day). Students who attend consortium schools can apply for interviews with public interest and public section organizations throughout the nation, and all students are welcome to attend the Meet the Advocates portion of the event. For more information about PI/PS day please click here!

PILP & the Pro Bono Project

Through its Public Interest Law Program (PILP), the Public Interest Clearinghouse also works with individual California law students. Each member school has adopted various components of PILP, including the Pro Bono Project. PILP member schools include:

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law

• University of San Francisco School of Law

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

• New College of California School of Law

If you are a student at one of our member schools and would like to take advantage of PILP membership and/or the Pro Bono Project, please contact one of our staff members.

**PILP provides general information only.  This is not legal advice. You can only obtain legal advice from a lawyer.  PILP makes every effort to keep information up to date and in accordance with applicable state and federal law.  However, PILP does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.  Some of the materials listed have not been prepared by PILP, but rather are links to information prepared and posted by others.  PILP cannot guarantee the accuracy of information posted on other sites, nor is PILP responsible for any legal advice, information, or assistance that you may obtain by using the PILP website.