PIJD News
Join us in welcoming Ishaan Prasad to the Public Interest J.D. program
This summer as a Peggy Browning Legal Fellow, at the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC), I strengthened my understanding of how legal analysis, problem-solving, and client-centered advocacy work together.
This summer, I had the privilege of serving as a law clerk with Public Counsel's Opportunity Under Law Project in Los Angeles, California where I supported attorneys on impact litigation advancing civil rights for children, immigrants, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and low-income Californians.
I spent my 1L summer with the County of Santa Clara in the Office of the County Counsel's Finance, Government Operations, and Technology Team
During my 1L summer, I had the opportunity to be the 2026 Carl L. McConnell Summer Fellow working at the Legal Aid Services of San Mateo County with the Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources, and Education (LIBRE) and housing services program.
During my 2L summer, I had the opportunity to complete a judicial externship in the Family Division of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, working with Judge Lowney.
During my 2L summer, I have been interning as a Research Clerk with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office.
Each year, the Center for Social Justice recognizes students who complete at least 50 hours of pro bono service during the academic year.
Congratulations to Public Interest Scholars Tyler Hawes, Trinity Chung and Rachel Nishimoto on being selected as John Paul Stevens Foundation 2026 Fellows.
This spring, Lauren Wright '27 and Tyler Hawes '28, two Public Interest J.D. (PIJD) students traveled to Washington University School of Law to participate in the 2026 Model Constitutional Convention, joining law students from across the country in a unique simulation of constitutional reform and governance.
This summer, Public Interest J.D. (PIJD) students are putting their legal education into practice through a wide range of internships, clerkships, externships, and fellowships dedicated to serving the public good.
Congratulations to graduating Public Interest Scholars Colleen Gill and Caitlin Strickland on receiving the Dean’s Leadership Award!
This spring marked a significant milestone for Santa Clara Law's Public Interest J.D. (PIJD) Program as we celebrated the graduation of our inaugural cohort.
This summer, I had the opportunity to clerk with the Housing Program at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, where I was introduced to the fundamentals of eviction defense and tenant advocacy.
Over the summer, I worked at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City.
During my 2L summer, I had the opportunity to intern in the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Division of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
During my 2L summer, I worked as a legal intern with the Habeas Corpus Resource Center (HCRC) in San Francisco.