THE PUBLIC INTEREST EXPERIENCE AT COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL

Social Justice Initiatives assists students individually in exploring the role of a public interest lawyer in a variety of areas including:

• nonprofit organizations
• government agencies
• international human rights organizations
• academia
• pro bono service in private law firms

SJI provides information, counseling, and guidance about permanent jobs, summer and semester internships, fellowships, and houses Columbia's mandatory Pro Bono Program. SJI also serves as a focal point for students interested in the Law School's public service courses, externships, clinics, and field projects, helping them forge a comprehensive education that meets their evolving individual needs.

SJI takes the lead in developing projects and internships with nonprofit, governmental, and law firm partners from the Lower East Side to the Bronx, from San Francisco to Atlanta, and from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. With an ever-expanding list of pro bono and internship placements and resources to help students identify emerging nongovernmental organizations throughout the world, SJI can advise students no matter what their individual interests.

SJI's schedule of activities ensures that there are plenty of relevant events for public interest students to attend almost daily, as leading social justice advocates present panels and workshops on topics ranging from the rights of day laborers to the European human rights system.

SJI does more than merely foster a climate of intellectual ferment. Amid a bustling atmosphere, it is able to focus on the individual student and his or her aspirations. From ensuring that students meet like-minded peers and mentors, to helping them deal with the potential pressures of following a less-traditional path and maintaining a lifelong, fulfilling career, SJI provides abundant support and assistance. Few law schools offer this kind of "one-stop shopping."