A number of public interest lawyers practice law in private law firms. Private sector public interest work encompasses a variety of substantive practice areas including civil rights, plaintiff-side employment, labor, and immigration. Many public interest attorneys in private practice offer services on a contingency fee, sliding scale, or even pro bono basis. See below for resources:
- National Lawyers Guild
- California Employment Lawyers Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Alumni database
- Los Angeles Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Small & Midsize Firm Guide
- Northern California Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Central California Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Southern California Small & Midsize Firm Directory (excluding LA)
Post Graduate Fellowships
Some public interest private law firms have fellowships for new graduates. Many are posted on psjd.org. Here is a sample:
- Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Fellowship - San Francisco - must be received by September 1, 2024
- Gupta Wessler Fellowship in Appellate Litigation - Gupta Wessler LLP - Washington DC - rolling until filled
- Civil Rights Fellowship - Relman Colfax, PLLC - Washington, DC - rolling until September 15, 2024
- COSAL/Justice Catalyst Fellowship for plaintiff-side antitrust law firms - September 1 - December 2 [note you must email law firms about partnering for fellowship before submitting application - participating law firms are listed on the site - email prior to the application submission window to give you the most time]
- Whistleblower Fellow - Loevy & Loevy - Chicago, IL - Rolling
- Cochran Fellowship in Civil Rights Law - Neufeld, Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger - New York - 2025 may open in October
- Civil Rights Litigation Fellowship - Bernabei & Kabat - 2025 Fellowship TBA