Public Interest Corner

The fall semester has been filled with public interest programs and events, indicating that GW Law’s commitment to public interest and pro bono work is stronger than ever.

Pro Bono Program

At the Student Organizations Fair, the Student Bar Association and GW Law’s pro bono liaison (housed in the Career Development Office) worked together to answer questions about and encourage new students to sign up for the Law School’s Pro Bono Program. Through the program, students pledge to volunteer legal services at public interest organizations in the DC community.

Students have the chance to learn more about the Pro Bono Program at the annual Pro Bono Fair. Each year, the Law School’s Public Interest Committee and pro bono liaison invite local public interest organizations to the Law School. The fair encourages students to volunteer and provides them with access to specific volunteer opportunities. This year, more than 20 organizations participated.

Public Interest Alumni Breakfast

The Public Interest Alumni Breakfast is a chance for Public Interest Committee members and counselors to reconnect with alumni practicing in public interest law. It also is a way of giving thanks to those alumni who graciously and continuously support, and sometimes act as catalysts for, public interest and pro bono initiatives at the Law School.

The CDO regularly hosts programs featuring alumni panelists, including a recent program about post-graduate fellowships. Looking ahead, the CDO will co-sponsor a program on immigration law careers with Professor Alberto Benitez, and a “What to Expect from the Equal Justice Works” career fair and conference program.

In November, the CDO kicked off its annual Public Interest Week, with programs including “Financing a Public Interest Career,” a public interest alumni panel and reception, and a plaintiff’s law firm panel.

Alumni interested in participating in these programs may contact Anna Marshall at amarshall@law.gwu.edu or Eric Stern at ejstern@law.gwu.edu. For those alumni interested in reading in more detail about public interest at GW Law, please contact either Marshall or Stern for a copy of the new GW Law public interest and clinical programs brochure.