Public Interest - Civil Track
Civic-minded law students are drawn to this track, addressing broad areas of public concern, including illegal discrimination, environmental protection, child welfare and domestic violence.
Public interest law is the practice of law to address broad areas of public concern, such as illegal discrimination, environmental protection, child welfare and domestic violence.
Public interest lawyers and non-lawyers provide legal services to individuals, groups, and organizations that are historically unrepresented in society. Studies show that about 80% of the legal needs of the poor in the United States remain unmet, despite existing federal, state and volunteer programs that provide legal services to low-income people. Public interest lawyers, paralegals, law students and legal professionals provide legal services free of charge or for a substantially lower fee to underserved segments of the public such as the indigent, the elderly and others who cannot afford legal services.
Public interest law professionals also fight for the underdog: they seek to enact policy change, advocate for civil liberties and fight for environmental protection, consumer rights and other causes for the betterment of society.
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Close Course Type DescriptionsCourse Types
We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.
Core Course
Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility. Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.
Elective
After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses. Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.
Seminar
Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.
Clinics/Externships
Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor. RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.
