OPIA

Unions represent the strongest institutionalized force for the working class that can counteract the influence of Corporate America. As such, the role of labor lawyers has never been more important. Join OPIA to learn from Wasserstein Fellow Jonah J. Lalas, who went from union organizer to law student to now a partner at Altshuler Berzon LLP’s newly-opened Southern California office. A child of Filipino immigrants, Jonah will talk about his path to becoming a labor lawyer and discuss his work representing nurses, writers, hotel workers, linemen, and incarcerated workers. He will also offer practical tips on how to position yourself to land a place in this exciting, fulfilling, and constantly-evolving practice that continues to provide critical support to the ongoing struggle for economic justice. Lunch provided. Please RSVP below! Open to the HLS community.

Law students often worry about identifying which substantive areas of law they are most interested in, but it's just as important to think about the method of lawyering that you want to use to further the public interest. Join Wasserstein Fellow Adam Pulver, an attorney at Public Citizen Litigation Group focusing on administrative law litigation and appellate and Supreme Court work, as he discusses his career as a public interest lawyer focused on litigation in various settings, working in substantive areas ranging from police misconduct and prisoners' rights to administrative law and consumer class actions Adam will discuss the differences litigating in various practice settings; the differences in direct representation, class action practice, and impact litigation; and the differences between trial and appellate work. He will also share the ups and downs of litigating in a hostile judicial environment, and how litigation itself can be your specialty. Lunch provided. Please RSVP below! Open to the HLS community.

This event is designed to help 1L students navigate international summer employment options in the public sector. OPIA, the International Legal Studies Program, and the Human Rights Program will review essential topics to help you get started on your search. Lunch will be provided.

Have a quick question about the public interest job search? Join Joan's Zoom meeting room during her virtual office hours. Please note that virtual office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Have a quick question about public interest fellowships? Come to OPIA for drop-in office hours. Please note that drop-in office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA) invites you to an evening of public interest inspiration and community as we kick off the academic year.

As you begin your law school journey, it’s important to understand how your legal education connects to the wide range of career paths available to…

Date: 6/23/2026
Runtime: 49:00 Speaker: Jillian Tuck, Associate Director for J.D. and LL.M. Advising, Programs, and Community Building OPIA staff discuss factors to consider when…

If you are contemplating a job change and are considering public interest options, OPIA is here to help! Our Public Interest Road Map For Alumni…

Are you a rising 3L or current clerk that plans to apply for entry-level roles at public defender offices beginning in fall 2026? Want to know what to expect and how to put your best foot forward? If so, please plan to attend a virtual roundtable on July 21st at 8pm ET. On hand will be a group of alumni who successfully navigated the public defender application and interview process and can offer advice on everything from application strategy to weighing offer decisions. Catherine Pattanayak, Assistant Dean for Public Service, will moderate and there will be time for participants to ask questions, as well.

Have a quick question about the public interest job search? Drop by OPIA's office for drop-in office hours. Please note that office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Introduction There is a wide range of exciting legal and policy positions available in state and local government. State and local government is a great…

Calling all public interest 1Ls and 2Ls! Classes are nearly over, and it's time to celebrate with your public interest classmates as you head into your second or third year of law school. Join OPIA at the HLS pub for some food and drinks, and help fortify the public interest community as you head into finals and your summer jobs. RSVP below!

Adrienne Mendle ’15 Asha Ramakumar ’23 Catherine Bendor ’92 Sam Dinning ’16 Jessica Frisina ’14 Zoè Russell ’22 Molly Cohen ’14 Hannah Bolt ’13 Abbey…

Zoè Russell ’22 Fatema Jaffer ’24 Sam Dinning ’16 Jessica Frisina ’14 Asha Ramakumar ’23 Molly Cohen ’14 Hannah Bolt ’13 Abbey Marr ’14 Lindsay…

Have a quick question about the public interest job search? Come to OPIA for drop-in office hours. Please note that drop-in office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Have a quick question about the public interest job search? Join Jillian's Zoom meeting room during her virtual drop-in office hours. Please note that virtual office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Every year, HLS students land a wide variety of entry-level positions and fellowships in government agencies, nonprofits (both here and abroad), the military, prosecutor and…

Public interest-minded students contemplating whether to pursue a clerkship after graduation are encouraged to attend this panel discussion at which public interest alumni who have clerked will talk about their experiences. The discussion will explore how a clerkship can be beneficial, the differences among various types of clerkships, and whether a clerkship might, or might not, be necessary for the kind of public interest work you hope to pursue.  Audience: This event is for public interest-minded 1Ls and 2Ls who are curious about clerkships.  Lunch provided. Please RSVP below.

Wondering how students land public interest employment immediately after graduation? Does the path seem confusing compared to private sector recruitment? Join OPIA as we demystify post-graduate pathways to public service, including a high-level overview of entry-level hiring, fellowships, and government honors programs. We will discuss hiring vehicles and key steps and strategies to ready you for post-graduate public interest job success. Lunch provided. Please RSVP below.

Have a quick question about the public interest job search? Come to OPIA for drop-in office hours. Please note that drop-in office hours are for quick questions only on a first-come, first-served basis.