Tulane offers J.D. students multiple avenues to explore public interest law. Our pro bono program mutually serves the legal needs of the community and the educational needs of our students. By empowering students to engage in pro bono legal services, we produce young lawyers who bring a strong sense of public service into their practice and the profession. The program gives students the opportunity to step outside the theoretical realm of classroom discourse and into real-world legal practice, allowing them to hone professional skills while benefitting their community.
Each fall, the pro bono program holds a placement fair for second- and third-year students to meet attorneys and directors of legal aid organizations throughout the New Orleans area. The fair is an ideal opportunity for students to explore different public service options and choose the best work to complete their pro bono requirement.
Tulane also offers six clinical programs, ranging from civil litigation, criminal defense and juvenile representation to domestic violence defense, environmental law and legislative and administrative advocacy. These clinics provide not only invaluable experiences for our students but also vital services to the city of New Orleans. For example, the Criminal Litigation Clinic played a significant role in redeveloping the city’s criminal justice system after Hurricane Katrina.
Tulane offers additional service opportunities throughout New Orleans through externships in federal district court, bankruptcy court, the U.S. Attorney’s office and federal administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The law school also provides externship placements in a variety of non-profit and government organizations serving the public interest.
