As a public institution, serving the broader community is a foundational value of the Law School. Michigan Law graduates work on behalf of immigrants, indigent criminal defendants, survivors of domestic violence, low-income tenants, families, LGBTQ+ individuals, the environment, and more. Our broad alumni network is one reason students find employment and mentoring opportunities everywhere they look. In a society where more and more people who need legal representation are unable to afford it, Michigan Law is dedicated to narrowing the justice gap through our robust public interest community of alumni, students, and faculty.
To help students navigate a career in public service, the Office of Career Planning has a public interest director, a government adviser, and a judicial clerkship adviser, as well as counselors to assist students and alumni pursuing postgraduate fellowships. Our role in the public interest community is multifaceted. We arrange panels, maintain career-related resources, and work with students 1:1 to ensure they are finding a validating and fulfilling career path. We also serve a broader role of tying the various parts of our community together so that students have all the support they need. Michigan Law students benefit from engaged faculty and a supportive community among student groups such as the Organization of Public Interest Students, MDefenders, the Environmental Law Society, the International Refugee Assistance Project, the Michigan Voting Project, and many others. These organizations offer peer mentoring, develop pro bono and community service projects, and host numerous programs throughout the year.
“After working as a lawyer representing immigrants, I know how significant and fulfilling it is to use your Michigan Law degree to make a difference. Now my goal is to empower others to do the same. I am committed to providing individualized career planning support and diverse opportunities to our public service students so they can realize the goals that brought them to law school.”
Made possible by Robert Fiske, ‘55, the former US attorney for the Southern District of New York, the award pays all educational (not just law school) debt for three years for grads working in government.
At Michigan Law, we are invested in fostering a community for our public interest students. From our annual Public Service Kickoff (hosted at the home of a prominent faculty member and civil rights litigator), to our Student Funded Fellowships program that raises tens of thousands of dollars to support public interest students, to more than a thousand alumni mentors, our community extends beyond the walls of the Law School and is here to support your ambitions.
Public interest employers want to hire individuals with a proven passion for the organization’s mission. Through our 17 clinics (we guarantee students at least one upper-level clinic), pro bono programs, externships, and other co-curricular offerings, you can start demonstrating your commitment to public service and get hands-on experience as soon as you walk on campus. Michigan Law offers real-world training that will make you competitive for every entry-level public interest job.
Fellowship opportunities exist at any law school that seriously supports public interest. But at Michigan Law, we take it to the next level by offering one of the most inclusive assistance programs at any top law school. We guarantee summer funding to all 1Ls—regardless of sector—and 2L summer funding to students in nonprofit and government positions. Our Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is one of the most comprehensive debt management programs in the country. At the same time, our support goes beyond dollars and cents. Michigan Law’s public interest community is a close-knit, lifelong network that provides career advising, as well as personal and professional support.
We want to put every public interest job within reach for our students. Yes, that means providing clinics, externships, pro bono opportunities, dedicated one-on-one counseling, and excellent career advice. It also means comprehensive financial support. A variety of fellowships and funding options are available to Michigan Law students, and our graduates benefit from a Debt Management Program (or Loan Repayment Assistance Program, LRAP) that is among the most progressive and generous in the country.
