What is Public Interest employment?

In the legal profession, the terms "public interest" and "public sector" are used to refer to non-profit and government employers of all kinds, including:

  • Federal, state and local government agencies
  • Prosecutors
  • Public defenders
  • Legal aid and legal services
  • Military and Judge Advocate General Corps
  • Advocacy organizations

Explore Government and Public Interest law:

  • Public Interest Career Guide:  The Public Interest Law Council created a guide to public interest law careers.
  • PSJD:  Public Service Law Network, containing comprehensive information on public interest law careers, fellowship funding, employer contacts and job announcements
  • EqualJusticeWorks:  Equal Justice Works, national law student organization that supports student public sector careers with grants, fellowships conferences and educational efforts.  The School of Law's Equal Justice Foundation is a chapter.
  • GovernmentHonors&Internships:  The Government Honors & Internship Handbook (password available from CDO) is the definitive resource for law students on state and federal summer and post-graduate legal jobs, including descriptions, requirements and hiring contacts, procedures and deadlines
  • USAJOBS:  Federal jobs website, containing information and application access to attorney, policy and other positions
  • The Leadership Library:  Federal, Federal Regional, State, Local and other "Yellow Books" directories enable job seekers to locate and research contacts.
  • Georgia.Gov:  State of Georgia home page, with information on state agencies (including the State Attorney General and Governor's Honors) and hiring opportunities
  • State&LocalGovtInfo:  State and Local Government on the Net website provides a clearinghouse link-through site to helpful search sites throughout the U.S., for state and local agencies, job sites, contacts and more
  • NLADA:  National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the professional organization site for civil legal aid organizations and public defenders across the U.S.
  • NDAA:  National District Attorneys' Association:  The professional organization site for prosecutors across the U.S.
  • PACGA:  The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, with information on prosecutors, contacts, trainings, jobs and more
  • GPDC:  Georgia Public Defender Council, with information on careers in public defense, training sessions, contacts, jobs and more
  • Legal Services Corporation:  National organization of civil legal services providers, includes job listings, career advice, contacts and credential building opportunities.
  • GeorgiaLegalServices:  The Georgia Legal Services Program provides indigent civil legal services throughout the state (excluding Atlanta).  The website provides information on services, contacts, jobs and internships.
  • AtlantaLegalAid:  The Atlanta Legal Aid Society provides indigent civil legal services in metro Atlanta.  The website provides information on services, contacts, jobs and internships.
  • InternationalPublicService:  Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities provides an array of internship, fellowship, summer and post-graduate opportunities
  • Downs'LRAP:  The Downs' Loan Repayment Assistance Program is the Georgia Law School's loan repayment assistance program for alumni in public service careers.  Apply following graduation; information and applications are available online.

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