Public Interest 

The University of Michigan Law School has long been a leader in public interest law and is dedicated to assisting current students and graduates who are interested in pursuing public interest opportunities. 

Our Public Interest Program is committed to:

• Building and fostering a robust public interest community of alumni, students, and faculty
• Linking students with hands-on experience during the school year
• Providing career advising for summer and post-graduate positions
• In conjunction with the Financial Aid Office, helping students find financial support for public interest work
  

Explore

• Michigan Law's Making a Difference:  A Guide to Careers in Public Service
• Part 1: Introduction to Public Service (PDF)
• Part 2: Government Service (PDF)
• Join the public service email group (PIMichLaw) for current students interested in public interest announcements and job postings by emailing lawcareers@umich.edu.
• Michigan Law Practice Area Guides:
• Child Welfare Law (PDF)
• Civil Rights (PDF)
  
• Disability Rights/Protection and Advocacy (PDF)
  
• Government
• International Public Service (PDF)
• Juvenile Defense from the National Juvenile Defenders Center (PDF)
• Labor and Employment Law (PDF)
• Legal Aid (PDF)
  
• Private-Public Interest Law Firms (PDF)
  
• Prosecution (PDF)
  
• Public Defense (PDF); MDefender Manual
  
• More coming soon!

COUNSELING

• Schedule an appointment with a public service counselor in the Office of Career Planning.
  

JOB POSTINGS

• Symplicity: Login to Michigan Law's Symplicity site to access job postings and view  employer profiles. 
• PSJD: Online resource connecting public interest law job-seekers with job opportunities.
• University of Arizona Government Honors & Internship Handbook: Fairly comprehensive listing of summer and graduate honors programs within federal, state, and local government agencies.
• USAJobs: The federal government's central place for job postings.
• Michigan Law participates in two main public interest career fairs:  The Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair held near Washington, D.C. in October and the Midwest Public Interest Law Career Conference held in Chicago in February.

NETWORKING 

• Networking Guide for Law Students (PDF)
• Public Service Network: A network of Michigan Law alumni and students working in public service law in the U.S. and abroad.  This resource includes student evaluations from summer and externship experiences.
• AlumNetwork: Database of Michigan Law alumni organized by market, practice area, and other criteria.
• LinkedIn: The largest professional network on the Internet, covering over 200 countries and territories.  Join the MLaw Public Interest Community Group on LinkedIn.
• Like the MLaw Public Interest Community on Facebook.

PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS AND INTERVIEWING

• Writing Legal Resumes:  Tips and Samples (PDF)
• Writing Legal Cover Letters:  Tips and Samples (PDF)
• Completing Your Applications:  Preparing Writing Samples, References and Transcripts
  
• Thank You Notes and Other Professional Correspondence
  
• The Public Service Job Interview (PDF)

 FELLOWSHIPS & FUNDING

•  Summer Funding
• Quick Link: 2L Public Service Guarantee application.
• Postgraduate Funding
• Loan Repayment

Follow the MLaw Public Interest Community: