OPIA

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…

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 Molly Cohen ’14 Hannah Bolt ’13 Abbey Marr ’14 Lindsay Sonenthal ’18 Becky…

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.

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.

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.

Have a quick question about public interest fellowships? Join Judy'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.

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.

Students and alumni are often curious about federal government service during Presidential transitions and as new administrations ramp up. While transitions are relatively brief and…

1L International Job Search Strategy Date: 9/24/2025
Runtime: 48:18 Speaker: Jillian Tuck, Associate Director for J.D. and LL.M. Advising, Programs, and Community Building This event…