Public Interest Law Practice

Through the utilization of clinical and analytical teaching models, this course is designed to help emerging lawyers interested in working in the public interest arena learn practical tools to succeed in a nonprofit law firm, with specific focus on legal civil rights nonprofits. Key components of the course will include an introduction and overview of nonprofit law firms, including a study of corporate structure, statutory rights and limitations, board structure and responsibilities, ethics and best practices. Students will undertake the study of impact litigation vs. legal services organizations, review of guidelines for representation in legal nonprofits, client privacy issues, conflicts, ethics, billing requirements, discussion of working environment, deadline management, retainer agreements, representation options, associate performance expectations and evaluations. The course will expose students to these issues through the attorney-client representation process, by undertaking, among other learning models, a mock representation of a client on a limited basis as well as full representation basis.