The University of Michigan Law School recognizes the importance of serving the community and is dedicated to assisting current students and graduates who are interested in pursuing opportunities in public interest or government. Our Law School highly encourages students to contribute to the community through pro bono programs, volunteer work, and public service oriented fellowships. At least half of all U-M Law students commit themselves to some type of community service project, many organized by Law School student-run organizations, before they graduate.

Since its beginnings in 1995, the Office of Public Service (OPS) has offered unparalleled support and continues to be an invaluable resource for students in search of careers in the public sector. Our nationally recognized Office of Public Service provides:

Counseling
One-on-one counseling to students and alumni

Funding Opportunities
A menu of funding opportunities, including guaranteed summer funding for all 2Ls via the Public Service Guarantee, along with numerous other opportunities such as the Dean's Public Service Fellows Program, Student Funded Fellowships, Clara Belfield and Henry Bates Overseas Fellowships , and the Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Summer Fellowship, to name a few. The list goes on but you get the idea that Michigan Law has funding available and OPS can point you in the right direction 

Public Interest/Public Service Faculty Fellows
Activities and mentoring opportunities with the Public Interest/Public Service Faculty Fellows

Contacts
Mentoring and networking contacts worldwide

Job Postings
Jobnet a searchable database on the Web containing summer and permanent public interest and government job postings as well as information on fellowships

Community
A community of government and public interest-minded students, faculty, and alumni, including the Organization of Public Interest Students (OPIS), a group of law students interested in public interest work

Pro Bono Work
Opportunities to develop skills and experience through the Pro Bono Pledge

Programs & Workshops
The Inspiring Paths Series, a lectureship series highlighting alumni who have incorporated public service into their legal careers, as well as numerous other public service career oriented programs and workshops

Loan Repayment Assistance
One of the nation's best loan repayment assistance programs which makes a career in public service financially feasible (through the Law School Financial Aid Office)

Stewardship
Stewardship of University of Michigan Law School Fellowships such as the Robert B. Fiske Jr. Fellowship Program for Public Service, the Dean's Public Service Fellows Program and the Perry Watkins Fellowship

Office of Public Service
625 S. State Street
200 Hutchins Hall #29
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
734.647.3256
ops@umich.edu