The Center for Public Interest Law is committed to helping students meet their full career potential, from their first summer internships to their first postgraduate job searches, and throughout their careers. The Center's philosophy is that there is no one true path for students who wish to practice law in the public interest. Many learning and work experiences can be combined to create the career that is just right for each individual. The experience and contacts of the Dean and Center staff, together with those of faculty members and the many alumni who lead public interest organizations in New York and beyond, ensure that expert support is available to students, whether they wish to go directly into public interest or government careers or to combine public service with traditional law firm jobs.
Back to top
Public Interest Job Search Resources (sample applications, websites, etc.)
Handbooks
CPIL has developed a series of Handbooks for the 1L, 2L and 3L student which provide a comprehensive overview of how to pursue a career in the public sector. The Handbooks include everything the student needs to know about the programs and resources available through Columbia Law School. Handbooks are available on lawnet under the "For Students" tab and at the CPIL office, 9th floor of Little Warren.
Columbia Public Interest Database/Intern Evaluations
The Public Interest Database contains contact information, descriptions, and extensive student evaluations for internship opportunities and pro bono projects throughout the world. The database contains contact information, descriptions, and extensive student evaluations for internship opportunities and pro bono projects throughout the world.
Throughout the fall, CPIL and OCS will hold public interest resume and job application workshops. Dates for these workshops will be announced by email and are posted on CPIL’s on-line calendar of events.
Learn about specific practice areas of law by reading through these guides. CLS thanks Harvard, Yale and NYU Law Schools for making these available to the public.
Early Interview Program (EIP) happens in August at the Doubletree Hotel in midtown. This interview program is primarily for 2Ls and 3Ls to obtain summer and permanent jobs in the private sector and students can interview with law firms from all over the country. There are several public sector employers who usually interview students at EIP, including the Department of State and the House of Representatives Office of Legislative Counsel. EIP is administered by the Office of Career Services .
OCI happens at Columbia Law School in the Fall for 2Ls and 3Ls, and in the Spring for 1Ls. Through this program, government regulatory agencies, public defenders, prosecutors, and other government agency employers come to campus to interview students for summer and permanent jobs. OCI is administered by the Office of Career Services.
Throughout the year, CPIL hosts nonprofit employers who will interview students on-campus. Watch your email for information.
If you are thinking about working as a law firm summer associate but intend to work in the public interest at some point after you graduate, we suggest choosing a firm with a strong pro bono program, or policies which will allow you to do substantial pro bono during the summer or as an associate. This will help you continue to build relevant skills and demonstrate your ongoing commitment to public interest law in general. No one piece of information is necessarily dispositive of a firm's pro bono commitment or culture. You must make this determination for yourself in an interview and by talking to people who work or have worked there.
Click below to view CPIL's Guide to Assessing a Law Firm’s Commitment to Pro Bono.
