Public Interest Brochure

Prepared for Public Service

BU Law integrates real-world practice with classroom learning and career advising to train talented students for public service careers.

An equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

Trained to Succeed BU Law prepares our exceptional and dedicated students for success in public service careers.

How? Our public service focus is fully integrated in the classroom, in the clinics, and in all aspects of students’ experience here.

We challenge students in class, mentor them in practice settings, and provide support by dedicated full-time career advisors who specialize in public service. As a result, our students obtain top public service and government positions, as well as coveted slots in honors programs and prestigious post-graduate fellowships.

Boston University School of Law: Public Service programs, scholarships, and classes. clinics & Skills programs Offering hands-on experience working on real cases and simulations.

Criminal law clinic employment rights clinic human trafficking clinic immigrants’ rights clinic wrongful convictions clinic

Public Interest scholars

Scholarships and institutional support assist law students showing demonstrated commitment to public service and academic excellence.

semester-in-practice externships Semester-in-Practice and externship placements provide real-world experience in nonprofit and government settings nationally and internationally.

Africa i–parliaments clinic

pip

transactional law program

Active student-run Public Interest Project raises money for summer stipends.

american legislative practice international human rights clinic housing, employment, and disability clinic

public service committee

Dean’s committee of faculty, administrators, and students collaboratively focuses on public service initiatives in the Law School.

pro bono Program Pro Bono Program places students with nonprofits to use their skills to serve unmet legal needs. Law School funded Pro Bono Spring Break Service trips in areas from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Portland, Maine.

classes An extensive curriculum of elective classes, such as civil rights litigation, client counseling, and courses in health care, helps students prepare for public service work.

Public Interest Law Journal Public Interest Law Journal provides opportunities for students to engage in scholarly research on public interest issues.

loan repayment assistance program BU’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program provides financial support to graduates pursuing careers in public service.

average number of students annually participating in bu pro bono program spring break service trips Averages for Spring 2012–2014

30

62

30+70= 21

students of color

%

Averages for classes 2014–2016

students with 3+ years of postgraduate experience

71+29+Q 71%

27+73+Q 27%

Averages for classes 2014–2016

students graduating over the past three years completed a clinic, externship, or semester-in-practice

Averages for 2012–2014

the number of advanced degrees Averages for classes 2014–2016

19

Rank for public interest law #19, and experiential learning #20

(National Jurist)

#

Sapna Patel (’12)

Nick Levenhagen (’12)

Presidential Management Fellow, Tax Law Specialist Internal Revenue Service, Washington, DC

“

Equal Justice Works Fellow Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Los Angeles

Since my first day on the job with the federal government, I’ve had to solve problems quickly and efficiently, as well as communicate complex ideas clearly to a wide range of audiences.

I’ve met these challenges, thanks to BU School of Law’s training and the high standards it encouraged me to have both academically and professionally.

“

30+40+5020 ”

dawn ryan (’80)

Attorney-in-Charge The Legal Aid Society of New York Criminal Defense Practice, Kings County Office

“

Boston University School of Law was the perfect place for me to develop the skills necessary to work as a public interest attorney and serve my own clients directly out of law school. I was able to take advantage of the endless opportunities that BU Law provides to improve clientbased skills, legal research and writing, and advocacy in the courtroom, including moot court, the International Law Journal, the Asylum & Human Rights Clinic, and volunteer opportunities.

Over the years our office has hired numerous BU Law students as interns and staff attorneys. I have consistently been highly impressed by their professionalism and preparedness to make successful contributions to our cases from day one and their commitment to making a meaningful impact for our clients.

”

carolyn goodwin

Director for Public Service and Pro Bono

“

Our renamed Career Development & Public Service Office, which also houses a robust Pro Bono Program, has the infrastructure and full support of the Dean to guide students toward their first steps in a government or public interest career.

”

”

To hire BU Law graduates or to place current students in internships, externships, Semester-in-Practice, pro bono, or other opportunities, please contact Carolyn Goodwin, Director for Public Service and Pro Bono, at cgoodwin@bu.edu or call 617-353-3141.

bu.edu/law/careers