what is public interest law

Public interest law refers to legal practices undertaken to help poor, marginalized, or under-represented people, or to effect change in social policies in the public interest, on not for profit terms. It is a term that became widely adopted in the United States during and after the social turmoil of the 1960s, building on a tradition exemplified by Louis Brandeis, who incorporated advocacy for the interests of the general public into his legal practice. Public interest law is defined as anything affecting the well-being, the rights, health, or finances of the public at large, most commonly advocating for those living in poverty or marginalized populations. Public interest careers encompass a wide array of practice areas, ranging from litigation and class action work, to policy, legislation, and community organizing. Public interest law concerns representing the interests of individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal system. Graduating with a public interest certificate or as a Center for Public Interest Law Fellow is a credential that signals the depth of commitment to public interest law.