Showcasing/Honoring Public Service

UVA Law upholds Thomas Jefferson’s conviction that lawyers have a special obligation to serve the public interest.  The Law School is committed to nurturing the civic virtues that support his ideal of public responsibility: integrity, civility and service. The school’s loan forgiveness program, administered by the Financial Aid Office, helps remove the burden of debt repayment for students who choose lower-paying public service careers, making virtually any career a practical possibility.

There are many different ways for students to get involved with public service at UVA Law:

PILA organizes community service days and other opportunities for students to connect with one another. It also helps raise money for summer grants that enable students to work in a public service position over their 1L and 2L summers.

Students can gain practical experience during the academic year by volunteering for projects organized by the school’s Pro Bono Program.  For information on opportunities and participation in the 75-Hour Pro Bono Challenge, click HERE.

In addition, the Public Service Center (PSC) helps students access careers in public service.  It typically holds public service OGIs in September and February, and counselors there provide information on job opportunities tailored to each student’s ideal career path.  Read more about PSC counselors and the PSC’s collection of employment resources.

The Virginia Public Interest Interviewing Program (VPIIP) reimburses students traveling 90 miles or more to interview with public service employers for internships and jobs.  Students must register in advance to be eligible for this funding. VPIIP is open to 2L and 3L students.  For more information on VPIIP, can be found HERE.

Finally, the Program in Law and Public Service is designed to offer a select group of students the opportunity to receive intensive and appropriate training that will prepare them for a career in public service.  Each year, around 25 first-year students are admitted to the program and another 5 slots are held open for second-year students.  For more information, click HERE.