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Public Interest Law

Every year, the Yale Law School community brings energy and vision to work for the public good. In a typical academic year, 60% of students participate in public interest activities, through clinics and student organizations, and students can also choose from an array of public interest-related courses.

The YLS community’s commitment to public interest continues beyond the academic year, as approximately three-quarters of the first-year class and one quarter of the second-year class take jobs in the public interest, many of which are funded by Summer Public Interest Fellowships

After graduation, the Law School provides financial support for public interest work in the form of loan forgiveness and specialized fellowships. Ten years after graduating, 46% of graduates have held public interest jobs.

Explore Public Interest Law

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About Public Interest Law

Yale Law School has a strong tradition of service in the public interest. The work of our clinics, centers, voluntary student groups, and a rich array of public interest-related courses offer students a nearly endless number of opportunities to bring their energy and vision to work for the public good.

Part of The Tsai Leadership Program, the Ludwig Program in Public Sector Leadership helps prepare students for careers in areas such as government, nonprofits, and other institutions focused on serving the public.

Learn more about public interest work

Course Offerings

Public Interest Law Faculty

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Public Interest Activities

Law School centers, clinics, and student organizations enable YLS students to perform public service in activities ranging from legal research and writing to outreach in the New Haven public schools.

After graduation, Yale Law School offers significantly more postgraduate public interest fellowships than any other law school in the country. Both externally and internally funded fellowships enable our graduates to jumpstart their careers while serving the legal needs of underserved members of our society.

Public Interest Activities

Public Interest Fellowships

Financial Support for Public Interest

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Public Interest Career Services

Public Interest Career Services are available through the Career Development Office, which offers specialized counseling, as well as a wide array of services, programs, events, and resources for public interest-minded students and alumni in all stages of their career development.

Public Interest Programs & Resources

Career Services

Events & Programs

Other Resources for Students

About Public Interest Employers

Information for Public Interest Employers

YLS Website Feed
YLS Website Feed

Launching Careers in Service

Read about how Yale Law School-funded fellowships offer essential support for aspiring public interest lawyers.

Feb
5

Marvin A. Chirelstein Colloquium with The Hon. Michael E. Farbiarz ’99

12:10PM - 1:00PM
Marvin A. Chirelstein Colloquium with The Hon. Michael E. Farbiarz ’99

The breadth and depth of public interest opportunities at Yale Law School are incredible, and the unique curriculum allows us to dive in as first-year students.