Pepperdine Caruso Law Celebrates Public Interest Week 2021
During the week of November 8, the Pepperdine Caruso Law community came together for a series of events to highlight and support opportunities in public interest law, hosted by the Caruso Law Clinical Education Programs. The week of events culminated with the annual Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL) auction, with proceeds going towards funding for student summer public interest internships.
The week began on Monday with "Justice Stories from the Legal Clinics." The Clinical Law faculty told tales from the legal clinics in order to regale and inspire law students. Faculty members discussed the positive impact public interest lawyers can have on people's lives. Professor Jeff Baker spoke about Medicine for Humanity , a Community Justice Clinic client, that currently has a team in Mbarara joining Ugandan partners to heal women, train doctors, and empower communities.
On Tuesday, the Caruso Law community was joined in conversation by Skip Koenig, director of Pro Bono services, and three additional attorneys from Neighborhood Legal Services Los Angeles County (NLSLA) that highlighted the work NLSLA does alongside Caruso Law's Public Interest Law Practicum. The attorneys spoke about their various practice areas, reflected on public interest careers, and addressed emerging challenges in Los Angeles County. The Public Interest Law Practicum with NLSLA, which can be found at Clinical Education Practicums, provides students with critical legal experience in the field.
On Wednesday, students attended the Career Development Office's presentation, "Public Interest Job Searching and Strategies." Students learned about the many opportunities available to them, especially because Pepperdine Caruso Law is a member school of Equal Justice Works and PSJD, a pathway to public service legal careers that can be found at PSJD.org. Through Equal Justice Works, students can apply for summer and post-grad fellowship opportunities, and on PSJD, students can search for public interest jobs all across the country. Caruso Law is proud to support students who are interested in pursuing careers that serve their communities.
The final and annual highlight of Public Interest Week event was held on Thursday, which was the live APIL auction that supports summer stipends for public interest work. Caruso Law student leaders organized the event, in which items auctioned included hikes, dinners, shooting practice, and poker nights with professors, personal portraits, Lakers memorabilia, and more. Professor and legendary auctioneer Steve Schultz conducted the auction in which significant funds were raised to help Caruso Law students realize opportunities in public interest law.