In its Public Interest Issue, the Michigan Law Journal includes two excellent articles about public service.
The article (.pdf) by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm ‘87 focuses on justice in public interest lawyering. Writing that “justice was the concept that for me turned legalese into poetry,” Granholm argues that all lawyers must serve the public interest, reminding us of our oath to uphold truth, justice, and honor.
Michael Steinberg’s article (.pdf) focuses on the challenges of entering the public service field, concluding that the rewards greatly outweigh the sacrifices: “I cannot stand idly by and watch our freedoms slip away.”
August 2nd, 2007
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opia |
Alumni |
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Travis Altman writes in TheStreet.com that the rising cost of a law degree is harming grads’ abilities to go into public interest work. “Attorneys from the class of 2005 borrowed nearly $80,000 on average if they went to a private institution and just over $50,000 if they attended a public institution,” he writes. Altman cites Equal Justice Works as one way law grads can find assistance while doing public service work.
Harvard Law School’s Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP), the first law school program of its kind, is designed to ameliorate this post-graduate financial issue, preserving freedom of job choice for HLS grads. Lea Weems ‘05, who receives financial help from both Equal Justice Works and Harvard, is cited in Altman’s article as one graduate who lives a relatively comfortable lifestyle while doing public interest work in Chicago. “‘I am in a very lucky position,’ she says.”
July 11th, 2007
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opia |
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Even after graduation, we’d still like to send you news of current public interest opportunities. And of course hear any news from you! To subscribe, send your post-graduation email address to pia@law.harvard.edu and specify if you’ll be a clerk or young alum next year.
June 27th, 2007
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opia |
Alumni, Students |
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