Public Interest Law Jobs

A public interest lawyer is an independent statutory officer appointed to promote and protect the human rights, dignity, and autonomy of people with decision-making disabilities and to reduce their risk of neglect, exploitation, and abuse. A public interest lawyer assists in protecting the human rights of people who are not able to make reasoned decisions because of dementia, intellectual disability and mental illness, or acquired brain injury. A public interest lawyer serves as an ombudsman for city government, providing oversight for city agencies, investigating citizens’ complaints about city services, and making proposals to address perceived shortcomings or failures of those services. A public interest lawyer helps prioritize relevant civil liberties and civil rights issues, and appropriately allocates his or her own time and the time of volunteers and interns to those matters that are deemed most important. A public interest lawyer assists with identifying and soliciting major gifts from donors, identifying grant opportunities and writing applications, and organizing fundraising events that augment current efforts to raise money. A public interest lawyer conducts media outreach, including developing and maintaining relationships with print and electronic journalists and speaking for or assigning others to speak for the organization.

A public interest lawyer position requires a law degree plus two to four years of relevant experience. A public interest lawyer’s experience should include pre-trial discovery, law and motion practice, and the taking and defending of depositions. Strong analytical skills and verbal and written communication skills are required. A public interest lawyer should posses the ability to work independently and communicate effectively with high-level individuals.