On September 12, 2012, Chapman Law’s Career Services Office sponsored a “Public Sector Day” where a panel of representatives from a wide range of public interest organizations spoke to students about internship and externship opportunities. The panelists included Bill Tanner of The Legal Aid Society of Orange County, Monica Mar of One Justice, Antoinette Balta of The Public Law Center and current second-year Chapman Law students Jessi Castro, Jaryn Saritzky and Zach Begle who talked about their experiences interning at public interest organizations. The room was packed with students interested in getting involved with public interest organizations. Included in the audience was Alison Bollbach, a Chapman Law student and co-president of the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF). Alison explained that although some public interest organizations do not have the budget to pay summer interns, PILF provides stipends to students who pursue summer public interest employment.

“It’s really rewarding when your work actually means something,” said Zach who interned at the Public Defender’s Office in Atlanta, Georgia. Jessi, who worked at The Legal Aid Society of Orange County, mentioned that clients would come up to her and repeatedly express their sincere appreciation. “It was very moving,” she said. All three students highly recommended that 1Ls attend UCLA’s Public Interest Career Day in order to network with organizations and help find great job opportunities. After listening to the students’ unique experiences, one thing became crystal clear: each student had undertaken meaningful work which created memorable experiences and transferable skills.

Resources for students interested in public interest work: