Public Interest Practice in Practice: The Law and Reality

At its best, the practice of public interest law is exciting, stimulating, and intensely rewarding. At its worst, public interest practice is frustrating and fraught with institutional obstacles. Ironically, at a time when demand for public interest legal services is increasing, the supply of such services is decreasing. This Commentary examines the roles of law schools, lawyers and bar associations, and government as contributors to this dilemma.

The Commentary then discusses five representative cases of one public interest law firm, Public Advocates, Inc., to illustrate several problems facing public interest lawyers. The Commentary challenges law schools, bar associations, and the government to respond to the increased demand for public interest legal services by teaching, funding, and otherwise promoting the practice of public interest law.