Author: Lisa Hurlbutt

Celebrating Pro Bono Week: Sign Up for Election Protection

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National Pro Bono Week (October 23-29, 2016) is an initiative of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service that recognizes the importance of meeting the need for pro bono services from the legal profession, and celebrates those in the legal community who rise to meet the demand. Lawyers, firms, bar associations, law schools and other legal entities around the country participate in activities to celebrate pro bono this week each year. Participating students will fulfill not just the one of the great civic callings of our profession, that of pro bono service, but of our entire constitutional system, that of defending the right to vote. At Temple, we view participation in pro bono legal service as a core aspect of professional responsibility, and we encourage our students to devote time to pro bono service from the very beginning of their law school careers. The Office of Public Interest Programs and student organizations provide opportunities to serve, with several projects and trainings offered each semester. The projects already underway this semester involve dozens …

Want a Public Interest Job This Summer? The Time to Make That Happen Is Now

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There are many reasons to pursue a public interest internship, especially in your 1L summer. For students who are strongly considering careers in the field, it is essential to start building experiences and connections now. Beyond that, public interest jobs often involve experience with real clients, can present great research and writing opportunities, offer a chance to fulfill the public and pro bono service ideals of our profession, and act as a reminder that you came to law school to solve problems for real people, not to take tests and get grades. Many students find it meaningful and fulfilling to have the experience of assisting people who would otherwise find it challenging to navigate the legal system with crucial issues in their lives, or to contribute to making our government and laws work better for the people they affect. But in order to get one of these jobs, you have to act now. PIPS Fair Why? Most public interest employers hire their summer interns now, in late January and February. Many of those hires happen …