Why Public Interest Law/What’s Going On?
To the University of Idaho class of 2010:
There are many reasons to go to law school. Some love the thrill of the courtroom. Others, the potential for incredible wealth. Be it political aspirations or “just not knowing what to do” next, there are a lot of good reasons to go to law school.
For me, I went to law school because I wanted to help people. I especially wanted to help people who needed it the most. Public interest law afforded me this unique opportunity my first year in law school.
One day I was walking the halls of our venerable law building, and I saw a sign for the PILG Alternative Spring Break and thought, “Wow that’s great they’re doing that.” The advertisement was of a young man lazily laying in his own filth on a couch.
The ad was up for a few days and finally it dawned on me – this is something I should be doing! Why wasn’t I going to New Orleans? Sure, I was taking 17 credits, and my Appellate Brief was due shortly after Spring Break. But really, why not go?
Well, one thing led to another and there I was in New Orleans, face-to-face with real people. Real people with real problems. It was nothing short of life changing.
Here I am less than a year later. Back at school. Thrilled…
UPDATE
But, besides the school part, there are a lot of interesting things going on around the College of Law. Alternative Spring Break is going to be bigger and better than ever. And the time to start planning is now! Last year’s Alternative Spring Break Blog - http://www.law.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=98583
GAL/CASA will start up soon after school starts. This is a great program for 1Ls, especially if you are interested in Family Law. Guardian Ad Litem allows law students to represent the “best interests of the child” in court proceedings – such as child abuse. For more information see - www.idahocasa.com/
Are we ever going to get debt relief for public interest lawyers? Maybe we need to try harder! www.abanet.org/poladv/wl/07jun/#no3
Rumors are circulating that Innocence Project is going to make its way back to UI. If you are interested, let me know! www.innocenceproject.org/
In Solidarity,
Jordan
Public Interest Law Group President
