Public Interest Program
As part of a Christian University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law seeks not only to provide the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to produce competent and ethical members of the legal community, but also to instill in our students an attitude of service.
This commitment to serve those who otherwise could not afford such assistance complements the legal profession’s rich tradition of service. Our program supports the efforts of the legal community to encourage service to others and advance the commitment to reach out in the community to share legal experience and knowledge. The Public Interest Program provides opportunities for our students to begin their career of service while utilizing the practical skills obtained in their legal education.
Program Basics:
- Students are challenged to perform 50 hours of voluntary service during their academic career.
- There are a variety of service needs to accommodate every student’s schedule, time of day available, duration of project, and degree of responsibility desired.
- Students completing the public interest service commitment qualify for recognition as a Public Interest Fellow, which includes a notation of service on their transcript, special recognition in the graduation program and at the graduation ceremony, and eligibility for the Distinguished Public Interest Fellow Award.
Program Benefits:
- Provides valuable pro bono and community service to those who otherwise could not afford such assistance.
- Allows students to gain invaluable experience performing legal work with practicing attorneys.
- Supports the ethical duty to use the knowledge and skills given to help others, not only as attorneys, but also as Christians.
Opportunities:
- Opportunities are available to individual students and student groups. Volunteer with:
Alabama Appleseed
Alabama Attorney General
Alabama Civil Justice Foundation
Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyer Program
Dallas County Teen Court Program
District Attorney’s Office
Family Sunshine Center
Federal Defender’s Office, M.D.Ala.
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
Legal Services Alabama
Montgomery County Public Schools
SaveFirst, Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Southern Poverty Law Center
U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's School Volunteer & Information Center