Miami Law’s wide-ranging, interdisciplinary curriculum allows you to carve your niche within the broader field of social justice and public interest law. Our 18 clinics and practicums will help you gain the necessary experience to make your passion for helping others a reality. The law school’s HOPE Public Interest Resource Center is the starting point for students committed to advocacy and service. Our dedicated attorney advisors provide individualized guidance to help students identify public interest programs, clinics, projects, courses, and opportunities at the law school and beyond. Whether your ultimate goal is a career in the public sector, or integrating pro bono work as a component of private practice, Miami Law helps you acquire the knowledge and skills essential for making an impact and representing our diverse and vibrant South Florida community. Through various initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally, Miami Law students are leading the way in promoting access to justice.
Some Facts about Miami and Miami Law:
Read more news on social justice and public interest at Miami Law
“Social justice is critically important because it is progressive. We are looking at the law, not just as it stands but how we can shape it in the future. Social justice attorneys are always looking for ways to ensure that the underrepresented and disenfranchised are spoken for and protected. The social justice concentration considers the intersection of many different factors--race, wealth, gender, and more. It is wonderful that Miami Law has committed itself to training the next generation of social justice advocates to empower the community."
Guerby Noel, J.D. ‘14
Senior Attorney for Equity Advocacy, Legal Services of Greater Miami
Miami, FL
*Course list is not exhaustive and does not set out a path of study.
Legislation
Academic Programs and Concentrations
Thomas Hart, J.D. ’10“Homeless clients have thanked me for helping with their cases, and I can see that their lives have been changed in a real way. They have stability now. Minnesota is cold and knowing that people had a warm place to sleep motivated my work.”
Disability Policy Engagement Director with Anthem, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
J.D./LL.M. - International Arbitration International Moot Court Program: The only one of its kind in the U.S., Miami Law offers a unique and comprehensive International Moot Court Program in which students travel and compete, in Spanish and English, in competitions around the world. Students advocate the different sides of a case and analyze the problem, identify the legal issues, research the law, write the briefs and orally present it to a tribunal. There are opportunities to particulate in moot court competitions related to social justice and public interest, these have included: International Exchange Programs - Miami Law offers 25+ study abroad options in 13 countries where students can study social justice and public interest law from different legal perspectives.
J.D./LL.M. - International Law
J.D./M.H.A. - Health Administration
J.D./M.P.A. - Public Administration
J.D./M.P.H. - Public Health
J.D./M.P.S. - Marine Ecosystems and Society
J.D./M.S.Ed. - Community and Social Change
J.D./Ph.D. - Environmental Science and Policy
International Opportunities
“My pre-law and law school experiences in the...Student Bar Association, and the Black Law Students Association are just some examples of what helped shape and expand my career goals by exposing me to different types of lawyers and practices. Each organization and the people in them had a variety of perspectives about life and the law that were helpful to me in formulating my own direction.”
Nikki Lewis Simon, J.D. '99
Chief Diversity Officer and Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
New York, NY
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS and PROJECTS LAW JOURNALS **List is not exhaustive and is intended to provide examples of past externships and internships.
Internships and Externships**
Marni Lennon, J.D. ’95 Marni Lennon teaches in the area of social justice advocacy Miami Law students have participated in multiple job fairs. Some are exclusively focused on public interest and others feature public and private sector employers with an affinity for public interest and social justice. "The Equal Justice Works Career Fair not only helped me get a handle on the wide range of public interest opportunities available, it also connected me to employers across the country. I was able to secure an interview with the Broward County Public Defender's Office, and I accepted an offer to work as a summer intern." Ron Tomassi, J.D. '06
“Miami Law students are engaged, determined and innovative. They advocate for clients and communities locally, nationally and internationally. Their passion and drive to make a difference and ensure access to justice sets them apart.”
Assistant Dean for Public Interest & Pro Bono, Director HOPE Public Interest Resource Center, and Lecturer in law
Job Fairs Focused on Public Interest
Dillon Richards, Class of 2025Centers
"The Center for Ethics and Public Service was one of the highlights of my law school experience. It revealed the impact that this profession can have when a group of talented, motivated, and genuinely good people offer their time and talents to the community. This lesson has stayed with me and affected my pro bono efforts throughout my career."
Managing Partner, León Cosgrove
Denver, CO
HOPE is the starting point for law students committed to advocacy and service and provides individualized guidance to help students identify programs, clinics, projects, courses, and opportunities at the law school and beyond. This center runs various projects and fellowships including: