Public Interest and Social Justice Law
Are you interested in using a law degree to make a difference in people's lives? In your community and beyond? If so, public interest law may be the field for you.
Public interest law is a rapidly growing field. A legal education from Wayne Law will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a difference in Detroit or another community, and also with the vision, perspective and foresight to significantly impact the world around you, through the law.
The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights honors Judge Damon J. Keith's legacy by developing programs and opportunities that build upon his contributions to promoting equality and justice under law. The Keith Center promotes civil rights educational opportunities and encourages research on racial justice issues, including housing segregation, inadequate and segregated education, and unequal economic opportunities, with a particular focus on southeastern Michigan. It also contributes to the development of the next generation of civil rights advocates by providing opportunities to work with leading civil rights organizations and providing scholarships to Wayne Law students interested in pursuing civil rights law.
Click on the above video to hear more about public interest and social justice law from Wayne Law Professor Jocelyn Benson.
Wayne Law offers an extensive public interest curriculum taught by widely recognized full-time faculty. It also offer students client clinics directed by full-time expert faculty members that help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Located on or close to campus and offered for credit, our clinics provide hands-on casework to law students while simultaneously assisting residents of the Detroit Metropolitan community.
Click here for more information about our clinics.
Wayne Law also offers Public Interest Law Fellowships. which were created by the Law School in 2009 to give students additional opportunities to gain practical experience before graduation, ease financial stresses and offer needed assistance to organizations providing legal services to underserved constituencies. Fellowship recipients are chosen by a committee of Wayne Law faculty and alumni, and hold public interest jobs during the summer.
Our students are known for being altruistic and dedicated to their communities. Many student organizations are active in the community and beyond. Check out our student organizations online.
Make your mark. Study public interest law at Wayne Law – in the heart of Detroit.
Wayne Law offers opportunities to study many other areas of the law as well. Check out a full list of course offerings or visit the Program for International Legal Studies.
Contact the Admissions Office at lawinquire@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3937 with any questions.