500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, California 95053
408.554.4361
Santa Clara University Home
Public Interest Law Career Services (PILCS)
What is PILCS?
PILCS is a student-run program to provide current SCU Law students and graduates with information about opportunities for employment in the public interest and the public sector as well as pro bono work.
What is public interest law?
Public interest law includes work on behalf of individuals and causes not often served by the for-profit bar. Work in the public interest is driven by the concepts of justice, equity, and advancement of the public good. Lawyers working in the public interest are employed by nonprofit organizations, government agencies and departments, and private law firms, with practice ranging from class action litigation to family law.
Substantive Areas and Representative Organizations
What is pro bono work?
Pro bono work is volunteer work performed by law students and lawyers. The ABA has long recognized the benefits this work confers upon clients with limited access to the legal system and/or limited financial means as well as society at large. PILCS and the Center for Social Justice and Public Service have worked to expand pro bono opportunities for SCU Law students through two programs.
Pro Bono Recognition Award Program
Download the Pro Bono Work Verification Form
Download the Sample Pro Bono Work Verification Form
Stay tuned for the Spring Pro Bono Placements! Emails will be sent out in January with further details and sign up instructions!
Additional services we provide
Personal career counseling and resume / cover-letter review with PILCS staff during office hours or by appointment.
Public Interest Law Career Information for Current Students and Graduates
Current Externship Opportunities (This link will take you to Symplicity where you must log in.)
Current Public Interest Career and Networking Opportunities
Post-Graduate Fellowships
Federal Loan Forgiveness Program Information
Public Interest / Public Sector Day Information
Upcoming Events: 2011-2012
Spring 2012
Making The Most of Your Summer: Tuesday, February, 2012
Find out tips and what you need to know to make the most of your summer internship
B237 12pm-1pm
Pro Bono Recognition Program Applications Due: Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 5pm
Submit your forms to the Public Interest Law Career Services Box in Law Career Services on the 2nd Floor of Bannan or fax to (408) 554-5043
Fellowship Info Session: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Come and learn how you can fund and continue to work on a project that you are passionate about after graduating law school
B127 12pm-1pm
Funding Summer Work: TBA
Find out about how to get your nonprofit summer internship funded.
Past Events:
Spring 2012
PI/PS DAY: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
UC Hastings, San Francisco
PI/PS Day FAQs
PIPS DAY Mock Interview Sign Ups
Come practice your interview skills and receive tips and feedback from a trained interviewer.
Sign up deadline has been extended to Monday, Jan. 30 @ 5pm.
Submit your resume by 5pm on Monday, Jan. 30 to complete your sign up!
To sign up you must walk in to LCS or call (408) 554-4350.
Mock Interviews will be held on Wed Feb 1st from 10:00am to 6:00pm
PI/PS Day PART II: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Please join LCS and PILCS staff to learn more about the PI/PS Day Interview Process and what to expect.
B142 12-1pm
Click here to download event slides
Click here for interview tips handout
Public Interest Resume Review for PI/PS Day: Tues & Wed, Jan. 10&11, 2012
Bring your resume and prepare for the PI/PS Day!
Bannan Lounge
5-6pm
Fall 2011
Public Interest Resume Review for PI/PS Day: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
Bring your resume and start preparing for the PI/PS Day!
Bannan Lounge
12-1pm, 5-6pm
Pro Bono Placement Project Spring 2012 Information Session: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
“Pro Bono Placements” is a new initiative sponsored by PILCS and the Center for Social Justice and Public Service (CSJ) to assist students with identifying and securing volunteer placements and opportunities during the academic year.
Come and learn how you can get involved for the Spring semester.
Bannan 135 12-1pm
Download Event Slides & Handout (Making the Most of Your Placement)
Public Interest/Public Sector Day Orientation: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011
PI/PS Day is the biggest public interest interview and job search day of the year for those interested in public interest and public sector summer intern/externships. PI/PS Day is held in February so this orientation is designed to give you an idea of how to prepare during your winter break.
Bannan 127 12-1pm
Download Event Slides & Handout (PI/PS Day FAQs)
Public Interest Career Fair: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Get to know local public interest and public sector attorneys and organizations. Find out about externships and career possibilities.
Locatelli Center 4pm to 6pm
Pro Bono Program Info Session: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011
Come learn about how to get involved in the community and put your legal skills to work.
Bannan 127 12-1pm
Public Interest Law Career Center Coordinators
Carolyn Kim, '12
Yan Li, '13
Contact Information
Campus Location:
Bannan Hall, Room 230 (the Law Career Services Office)
Second floor, left-hand side as you exit the stairwell or elevator area
Mailing Address:
Public Interest Law Career Services
Santa Clara University School of Law
500 El Camino Real, Bannan Hall, 2nd Floor
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0444
Phone: 408-554-6930
Fax: 408-554-5043 (Attn: PILCS)
To schedule one-on-one career counseling appointments, email us at: pilcs@scu.edu
