Center for Public Service

Emory Law is deeply committed to preparing students for legal careers in public interest and to encouraging pro bono service as a part of every attorney’s practice. The Center for Public Service serves as a hub connecting all students with meaningful opportunities to engage in public interest work and to explore the ways public service will fit into their professional identities.

Whether you are committed to a career with a legal services organization, considering how pro bono service will fit with your private firm practice, or still exploring options, we encourage you to engage with public service at Emory Law.

Pro Bono Program

Pro bono service - man and woman pose with trophy while smiling

Emory Law’s pro bono program offers students opportunities to engage in meaningful, real-world pro bono work side-by-side with practicing attorneys. Students engaged in pro bono work have the opportunity to sharpen their skills and make connections in the legal community – all while providing vital legal help to those who need it most. Click here to learn more about the Pro Bono Program.

Public Interest Programming

Throughout the year, Center for Public Service programs bring practicing attorneys, alumni and judges to Emory to engage with students on a wide range of topics. Recent presentations have included:

Introduction to legal-services nonprofits
Understanding the post-graduate Fellowship process
Practical advice for public interest networking
Training and information for pro bono opportunities
And many others.

Click here to see our current schedule of events (Must log in with your Emory credentials).

Emory Law Public Interest Alumni Directory

The Center for Public Service maintains a directory of alumni working in public interest fields who are available to speak with current students for brief questions and advice. Click here to access the Directory. (Must log in with your Emory credentials).

Summer Public Interest Funding

Whether you are set on pursuing a career in public interest, planning to pursue private-firm work, or still exploring options, a summer internship with a government agency or legal services organization can be an excellent way to explore an area of the law, sharpen your skills, and build community (not to mention helping those in need). Emory Law is committed to helping students fund this summer work and offers several avenues for students to receive stipends. In addition to the Emory Law programs linked below, the Center for Public Service and the Center for Professional Development work with students to identify and secure outside funding sources.

Click here to learn about Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC) Grants and Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowships.
Click here to learn about the Center for Professional Development’s Summer Stipend Program.

Paying for Bar Prep Courses

The Center for Public Service’s Bar Prep Matching Program connects students going into public interest positions after graduation with firm-bound students who have the opportunity to provide them with a free bar prep course. Click here to learn more.

Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC)

Founded in 1989, the Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC) is one of Emory Law’s most active student-led groups, sponsoring a major public-interest conference in the fall, a gala awards event in the spring, and numerous other events throughout the year. The Center for Public Service works closely with EPIC’s leadership to support these events. Learn more about EPIC.