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Public Interest Law

Public interest law governs the interests of the most vulnerable populations in our society, ensuring their equal protection and representation. At Temple, public service is a tradition that is supported and cultivated by a faculty that boasts an unparalleled depth of experience in public interest practice. Students have the privilege of both learning the law and contributing their legal knowledge to the surrounding community through a diverse selection of elective courses and an extensive clinical program.

The Office of Public Interest Programs is the focal point for public interest activities at the Law School. These activities include the Public Interest Experience (PIE), a student-directed program that matches student volunteers with public service organizations, and Law Education and Participation (LEAP), a multi-faceted program designed to teach children about the law. The Public Interest Programs Office also collaborates with the Office of Career Planning to identify public interest job opportunities and support students' post-graduate fellowship applications.

Operating under the ideal that the ultimate reason for being a lawyer is to help people, Temple Law School is committed to developing innovative approaches to serving those in need.

The Law School sponsors two programs designed to extend financial support to students seeking public interest careers. The Student Public Interest Network (SPIN) raises funds each year to provide grants to students for summer internships with public interest agencies. The Barrack Public Interest Fellowships Program is a loan repayment assistance program that helps alleviate the debt burdens of graduates pursuing public interest careers.

Each year, through Temple's Public Interest Scholars Program, substantial scholarships are awarded to a select group of entering law students who demonstrate exceptional ability and a longstanding commitment to public interest work and who will pursue a career in public interest law. The program also provides a comprehensive plan of coursework, mentoring, and clinicals.

Student Public Interest Network (SPIN) The Student Public Interest Network promotes public interest law and provides summer grants to students working in the public interest.