Public Interest & Pro Bono Programs

Student Public Interest Listserv

Students who would like to receive breaking news on events, fellowships, jobs, and pro bono opportunities by email, should join this listserv. To do so, go to PublicInterestStudent Listserv and fill in the requested information for "Subcribing to Public Interest."

Alumni Public Interest Listserv

Alumni who would like to receive periodic announcements on public interest at Duke Law (and be able to respond to the group) should join this listserv. To do so, go to the PublicInterestAlumni Listserv and fill in the requested information for "Subscribing to PublicInterestAlumni."

Post-Graduate Fellowships Listserv

Students and recent alumni who would like to receive periodic announcements on post-graduate fellowship opportunities at Duke Law should join this listserv. To do so, go to the PostGraduateFellowshipListserv and fill in the requested information for "Subscribing to Postgraduatefellowships."

The Public Interest and Pro Bono program underscores Duke Law School’s commitment to provide students with experiential learning opportunities that not only contribute to their professional development, but also stress the value of service. Students provide law-related services in a broad array of areas including criminal law, environmental law, and civil rights, and work with Legal Aid, non-profit advocacy groups, government, and private attorneys in their pro bono work.

Whether students opt to take on significant commitments with student pro bono groups such as the Guardian ad Litem program or the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, the public interest and pro bono program gives them a chance to engage intellectually and reflect on the value of service.

Features of the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (2007-2008 edition) provides a brief overview of our programs.

News & Announcements

E. Carol Spruill praised for building thriving pro bono community at Duke Law
Senior Lecturing Fellow Spruill led Office of Pro Bono and Public Interest for 18 years as associate dean.
One is not enough
Jeff Ward JD/LLM '09 shares what he learned through a number of clinical experiences at Duke Law.
David Esquivel ’97
Esquivel's pro bono case brings a measure of justice to El Salvadoran families.
Leslie Cooley ‘05 discusses tenure as domestic violence prosecutor
Cooley gave insight into the challenges and rewards of working as an assistant district attorney in Mecklenburg County’s Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit .
College Cost Reduction and Access Act an important development in public service law
The CCRAA allows students a broader choice of law schools, says Associate Dean Carol Spruill. » National Law Journal