Helping out the less fortunate and needy people is the most noble cause one can associate with. And there is nothing better than devoting yourself to this cause. A public interest lawyer practices law specifically in areas related to mass interest or for those who cannot afford to hire professional lawyers to represent them in court. This aspect make public interest law a risky career prospect as financial returns will always be uncertain. Lawyers generally make their careers in anticipation of handsome fees and making a handsome living out of it. Having said that, it doesn't mean that public interest law practitioners cannot expect any financial returns and they don't always have to work for charity. Common practice among lawyers, especially those who are interested to pursue public interest law, is practicing commercial law and public interest law simultaneously. This can provide a balanced career in law practice.
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The basic task of a public interest lawyer is to ensure that the law is implemented to the benefit of common people. This primary objective may have many different forms and aspects. A public interest lawyer may identify unfair or unethical practices being undertaken by companies or organizations that may be harmful or may affect common, powerless or financially challenged people. For example, a public interest lawyer may challenge an automotive firm for not meeting pollution standards in the automobiles they produce.
Also, they may work to identify limitations or unsatisfactory clauses in the law and bring the shortcomings in front of the concerned authorities. These shortcomings may relate to unfair legislation and its application or inequalities brought by interpretation and application of law. Public interest lawyers may work for public interest causes like abortion and death penalty. They can work from any of the sides of such causes. For example, one may be either anti-abortion or pro-abortion based on personal believes. It is not always necessary for a public interest lawyer to go against administration.
Generally, public interest lawyers are not employed in government organizations as they would be expected to work as per the established law by the authorities and will not be allowed to challenge the law. In some case, a lawyer working for a state or federal department of civil rights might reasonably qualify as a practicing public interest lawyer. So, the question arises: Who employs public interest lawyers? Mostly, the public interest lawyers are self employed and work independently as there are hardly any law firms that work for public interest. There are numerous charitable organizations or trusts that employ public interest lawyers for fighting legal battles for public welfare causes.
Academic
In order to be a legal representative in front of the court, a public interest lawyer needs to be a qualified lawyer, which means one should hold at least a bachelors degree in law and should be certified by the federal law as a lawyer. As public interest lawyers are generally not employed by any organization or law firm, there are no other strict academic requirements for becoming a public interest lawyers. However, to build credibility and credentials, one should obtain advanced qualifications in law.
Those pursuing their career in the field of public interest law are required to develop and implement strategies to encourage the students to take up careers in governmental jobs and public interest. In order to sharpen one's skills and abilities, one is required to participate in career center team meetings, programs and activities. They are also required to undertake fellowship and application processes in the field of public interest. A post graduate fellowship increases chances in this field.
Those aspiring to become a public interest lawyer must have strong background in English and political science. You need to choose your field of action like health care or elder law and take up related course from the law schools. During the training phases the students are taught ways to sharpen their analytical, interpersonal and communicative skills. The students can also go through several journals to expand their knowledge in the field of public interest law.
Prior Experience
Again, as public interest lawyers are mostly self employed and not have to seek jobs in any organization, they are not strictly required to have prior experience. They can independently start practicing law under the guidance of other experienced and established lawyers in the same field. They may act as assistant lawyers before independently taking on cases. Experience will obviously help in building credibility before potential clients, though hunting for clients is not a very critical task for a public interest lawyer.
Career Prospects and Salaries
As a public interest lawyer, selflessness and altruism are higher virtues than urge for building a progressive and successful career and earning a handsome salary. This does not limit the possibilities of earning as per personal desires as one can always pursue professional law practice along with public interest law.
Number of corporations, religious and welfare organizations, and wealthy individuals provide subsidies for public interest work. The Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation (SPILF) is one such popular organization that provides grants for public interest law project related to pregnant teenagers, housing discrimination, battered women, women prisoners, immigrant and refugee rights, children needing special education, and a wide variety of other causes. If you are determined to help these causes but face financial challenges, you can look towards taking help from SPILF or other similar organization.
Conclusion
If you are determined to help the cause of public welfare and are interested in doing it through legal route, becoming a public interest lawyer will be nothing but a completely satisfying option for you. But before pursuing this path, you will need to completely understand that there will be limited financial benefits. If you are ready to make this satisfy while contributing to a higher good, move ahead and provide your services to the society.
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