Our Programs

The Public Interest Center offers a range of interesting and engaging programs for students, faculty and allumni throughout the year. Anchoring the Center's offerings are the following annual programs:

Orientation Service Day
The Law School incorporates a public service component into its orientation program for first-year students. Building on the core value of service embodied in St. John's Vincentian mission, as well as the annual University Service Day, the Law School has established its own service day program. Through the Orientation Service Day coordinated by the Center, incoming 1Ls students have the opportunity to participate in pro bono service and learn first hand about the Law School’s commitment to public interest. In this experiential learning forum, students work with children and the elderly, refurbish building sites and address hunger and homelessness issues. They also receive training in various pro bono opportunities.

Public Interest Auction
Teaming with the student Public Interest Committe, the Center hosts the Public Interest Auction to raise funds for the Law School's Public Interest Fellowship Program and other public interest initiatives for students. The Auction is a popular event that continues to grow with record attendance from the Law School's students, alumni, faculty and staff and with the generous support of the business community. The 2012 Public Interest Auction was the Law School’s most successful to date, raising over $115,000. 

Speaker Series
The Center presents a speaker series for students featuring public interest lawyers from a range of practice areas. The goal of this informal series is to expose students to the substantive and impactful work of public interest lawyers, forge ties between the Law School and various public interest organizations and provide vital networking and learning opportunities.

Pro Bono Trainings
Trainings for various pro bono service project opportunities will be scheduled throughout the year in the areas of consumer debt, housing court resolution, family law and domestic violence, public benefits, education law, etc.  Please sign up for the Public Interest Center TWEN site to stay updated on upcoming pro bono trainings.

Please see the Law School event calendar for program details or contact the Public Interest Center for more information.