The Social Justice Program manifests Columbia Law School's belief that public interest experience should be part of the professional life of every Columbia student and graduate. The Center for Public Interest Law has primary responsibility for career services for Columbia Law School students and graduates interested in public interest, government and legal volunteer work. It provides programming and individual assistance regarding careers, summer opportunities and pro bono projects. SJP’s staff also counsels students individually about how to forge a comprehensive social justice education that includes courses, clinics, externships, pro bono projects and other extra-curricular activities.
The SJP also implements and oversees Columbia’s Externship Program, in which students can take a substantive seminar and a closely-related field experience at a not-for-profit organization or governmental agency. The National State Attorneys General Program, which is under the SJP’s auspices, is a research-education-and-policy center that works closely with attorneys general, academics and others. SJP’s LL.M Pro Bono Fellowship Program recruits and works with leading young corporate attorneys from other countries, who are interested in developing a pro bono culture and practice at home.
As a result of its varied activities, SJP has an extensive network of social justice organizations and practitioners in the United States and abroad.
