What Counts as Public Interest for Bar Prep Matching? 

Discover what counts as public interest for bar prep matching. Learn qualifications and maximize opportunities for aspiring public interest lawyers!

If you’re studying for the bar and considering a career in public interest law, you’ve probably heard of bar prep matching programs.

These are programs where an organization, often along with commercial bar prep companies, pays all or part of a future public interest lawyer’s expensive bar preparation course. But what work will qualify as public interest Well, let’s see.

Public Interest: The Basics

The philosophy that underpins public interest law is essentially to work in service for underrepresented communities, those on the margin, or even those who might be at some disadvantage. Generally, this work doesn’t garner headlines, though it changes lives—a case, policy, or act of advocacy at a time. Many public interest lawyers work through nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or legal aid societies.

Think of it this way: Public interest law is sort of like the Robin Hood of the world of law—giving voice to those who perhaps otherwise would go without one. When I applied to law school, I hadn’t decided precisely on a path; in fact, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea either until after a legal aid volunteer experience during the summer following the 1L academic year. It was both humbling and an inspiration to know the impact we had, be it helping tenants in fighting wrongful evictions or working with survivors of domestic violence to obtain protective orders.

Types of Public Interest Work

In simpler words, public interest law is a quite broad field including a number of roles and various specialties. It’d make more sense once you go through some common categories:

• Legal Aid and Nonprofits

Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal services to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Examples include:

• Helping families through housing disputes.
• Assistance with immigration, including asylum applications.
• Supporting victims of domestic violence with restraining orders and custody battles.

• Government Positions
• Working for the government may also be considered to be in the public interest, particularly in positions that have a direct impact on the community, such as:
  
  • Public defenders represent criminal defendants who cannot afford private counsel.
  • Prosecutors who specialize in restorative justice initiatives.
  • Attorneys who belong to regulatory agencies like the EPA.
• Impact Litigation

Impact litigation involves filing a lawsuit to implement system-wide reform. Examples of this include the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund. For instance, if there is a certain law that is considered highly discriminatory, filing a lawsuit against it would have an impact outside of the party plaintiffs. Similarly, a court ruling against or for certain environmental protections also would have significant consequences beyond just the parties filing a lawsuit.

• Policy and Advocacy

Public interest lawyers are not necessarily courtroom lawyers. Many of them work in policy advocacy, drafting legislation or lobbying for changes that will benefit vulnerable populations. If you have ever watched someone testify before Congress on some social justice issue, that person likely works in this arena.

• International Human Rights

This is an area that involves the advocacy of fundamental rights on an international level, such as fighting human trafficking, protecting refugees, or challenging international war crimes.

Bar Prep Matching Programs: What Are They?

Matching programs offering bar prep are a way that public interest-oriented bar prep may seek to minimize the burden on the public-interest-minded law graduate. Most know intuitively, many public-interest positions are often paid less when put alongside a number of private sector-type jobs, but also that these high financial costs associated with commercially available bar prep courses—in the upwards of $3,000 and more—have become an even higher access barrier.

Here is how this typically works:

• Eligibility: Applicants are expected to demonstrate their commitment to public interest work, usually through employment after graduation.
• Application Procedure: The applicant may be required to submit proof of employment, a statement of purpose, or letters of recommendation.
• Benefits: Include a discount in bar prep course, fee waivers, or a scholarship to at least help go towards living while studying.

What Counts as Public Interest for Bar Prep Matching?

While the criteria tend to differ with each program, here are some general aspects they consider:

1. Type of Employer

Most programs focus on work done for:

• Non-profit organizations (U.S. 501(c)(3)s).
• Government Agencies.
• Public defender or prosecutor offices.
• International NGOs working for the cause of either human rights or social justice.

2. Responsibilities:

It’s not just a matter of where you work, but what you are doing. For example:

• Unless, of course, you are a government attorney and you are writing corporate contracts. That probably doesn’t count.
• However, if you’re advocating for environmental protections within the government, you’re likely eligible.

3. Dedication to Underrepresented Communities:

Programs often give precedence to positions which have direct implications on underserved populations. Examples include:

• Assisting low-income families with issues on housing.
• Representing individuals with disabilities in discrimination cases.

My Journey: From Self-Doubt to Determination

Applying to a bar prep matching program, I was swimming in questions: did my internship at a non-profit count; would my forthcoming position as a public defender qualify? Spoiler: it did. Yet, the process taught me more about how those programs vetted candidates.

I remember poring over the eligibility requirements late one night, my laptop precariously balanced on a stack of casebooks. The key takeaway: thoughtfully articulate an intention and the impact of your undertaking. In my application, I underlined that summer working with veterans to maneuver benefits claims, relating it to the larger mission of serving underrepresented communities.

Tips to Navigate the Process

If you’re looking to apply to a bar prep matching program, here are some practical tips that may help:

1. Begin Early

These programs often have deadlines well before bar prep courses begin. Research your options during your final year of law school to avoid last-minute stress.

2. Be Specific in Your Application

Describe your experiences in and goals for public interest. Concretize your interests using specific examples. For example, rather than stating, “I would like to help people,” describe how working at a domestic violence shelter motivated you to become involved in family law.

3. Seek Recommendations

Letters of recommendation from supervisors or professors who can speak to your commitment to public interest work strengthen your application.

4. Leverage Resources

Many law schools have public interest offices or career counselors who can walk you through the process. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Why Public Interest Work Matters

To many, working in public interest law is not a profession but a calling. The work is demanding, generally underpaid, and emotionally sapping. But it is also deeply rewarding. I won’t ever forget the client who, after we won her asylum case, gave me a hug. Fleeing unimaginable violence in her home country, she got a chance to rebuild her life thanks to our Legal Counsel . Those moments make all of the long hours and student loan payments worth it.

Takeaways

•  Knowing what counts as public interest for bar prep matching is key if you’re going to take advantage of such programs. 

• You can learn about eligibility, explore your options early, and build a strong application to offset some of the financial burdens of becoming a lawyer while staying true to your passion for serving others.

• Remember, what counts as public interest for bar prep matching is not a one-size-fits-all question; it varies, but it often comes down to your dedication and impact. 

• If you’re on this path, press on. The communities you will serve need your voice, your skills, and your heart.

• Questions or want to share your own journey? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!

Additional Resources:

1. BARBRI Public Interest Scholarship: BARBRI offers scholarships to assist public interest law students with bar review courses. Each year, they provide approximately $4.5 million in scholarships to support the next generation of public interest lawyers. 

2. Columbia Law School’s Bar Prep Matching Program: Columbia Law School’s Student Senate facilitates a Bar Prep Matching Program that connects public interest students with firm-bound students who can provide them with a free bar prep course.

3. New York University (NYU) Public Interest Law Center’s Bar Prep Matching Program: NYU’s Public Interest Law Center offers a Bar Prep Matching Program that pairs public interest students with firm-bound students to receive free bar prep courses from BARBRI or Themis

4. Kaplan’s Public Interest Discount: Kaplan provides a discount on bar review courses for students pursuing public interest careers. This initiative aims to make bar preparation more accessible to those committed to serving the public