Career Strategy

Public Interest

Why Public Interest?

Legal work in the public interest sector is critically important to the lives of low-income people, the elderly, abused and neglected children, victims of discrimination, people with physical or mental disabilities and other members of our society who often lack advocates to speak for them.

Most public interest and public service lawyers enjoy tremendous job satisfaction. It is very rewarding to provide legal services to those in need. Public interest legal work also presents exciting opportunities to shape the future of our society. Moreover, the diversity of public interest law is attractive to many lawyers. Areas of public interest law are as varied as in the private sector. Public interest attorneys work in government agencies, public interest law firms, legal services offices, law reform agencies, and non-governmental organizations. They work on issues ranging from public policy matters concerning education, the environment or civil and human rights, to direct representation of individuals in proceedings ranging from child custody to criminal defense.

Villanova's Commitment To Public Interest Law

In keeping with its Catholic and Augustinian tradition, Villanova University School of Law promotes public interest work among its law students and alumni as a core part of its program.

Villanova's mission to serve the public interest is manifested in several ways:

Elizabeth Dunn, Esq.
Director of Public Service Careers & Pro Bono Programs
Email: dunn@law.villanova.edu
Phone: 610-519-7228

Villanova is among a handful of law schools to dedicate a full-time professional administrator to specialize in public interest programs. Elizabeth Dunn, Esq., the Director of Public Service Careers & Pro Bono Programs, provides programs and advice to students interested in pursuing public interest or government careers. In addition the Director coordinates the Law School's growing pro bono legal programs.

Clinics & Externships

In addition, Villanova has developed a wide variety of excellent clinical programs and externships. Clinics and externships offer students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working with underrepresented and underprivileged clients for academic credit.

"Lawyering Together" Pro Bono Program

Administered by the Career Strategy Office and co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and the student Pro Bono Society, Lawyering Together pairs law students with practicing attorneys to work together on pro bono cases for Philadelphia-area public interest organizations. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop mentoring relationships with attorneys, learn firsthand about the practice of law, and work with clients.

Student Groups

Villanova also has two active student organizations, the Pro Bono Society and the Public Interest Fellowship Program, both of which enable students to gain public interest work experience while in school. The Public Interest Fellowship Program funds a substantial number of students in public interest work each summer. The Pro Bono Society facilitates pro bono work by current VLS students by arranging for placements in local public interest organizations and educating students about public interest careers by bringing public interest lawyers to the law school to speak with students about public interest legal work. To learn more about these organizations, consult their websites.

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