# Public Interest and Public Defense Careers

**Source**: https://law.utexas.edu/careers/public-service/public-interest-and-public-defense/
**Parent**: https://law.utexas.edu/careers/outcomes/

Public interest legal work involves advocating for persons or causes that are not typically served by the private legal sector. \
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These employers include, but are not limited to, legal service providers, public defender offices, advocacy organizations, and private law firms devoted to serving the underrepresented.

For those who are passionate about working for the public good, working as a public interest advocate can be an incredibly satisfying career.\
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To stay on top of opportunities, sign up to receive the [Texas Law Public Service Listserv](https://utlists.utexas.edu/sympa/subscribe/publicservice), which is available to current Texas Law students and alumni.

Interviewing & Networking Opportunities
:   - [Texas Talks: Public Service Expo](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/interview-programs/public-service-expo/)
    - [Public Service Career Fair](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/interview-programs/public-service-career-fair/)
    - [Equal Justice Works Career Fair](https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/conference-and-career-fair/about/)
    - [Additional Interview & Networking Programs](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/interview-programs/)

Additional Job Search Resources
:   - [Job Bank on TEX – Powered by 12Twenty](https://law-utexas.12twenty.com/jobPostings#/jobPostings/index?viewId=1&tab=all)
    - [PSJD – Public Service Jobs Directory](https://law.utexas.edu/career/resources/public-service-job-directory-psjd/)
    - [Rapoport Center for Human Rights](https://law.utexas.edu/humanrights/opportunity-type/employment-resources/)
    - [Peer-to-Peer Insights About Public Interest Organizations](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/resources/peer-to-peer-employer-insights/peer-to-peer-insights-about-public-interest-organizations/)
    - [Public Policy Handbook](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/resources/public-policy-handbook/)
    - [Texas Law Alumni in Public Service](https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/alumni)

Student Internship Funding
:   - William Wayne Justice Center’s [Summer Public Service Program](https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/summer-public-service-program/)
    - [Texas Law Fellowships](http://texaslawfellowships.org)
    - [Rapoport Center for Human Rights](https://law.utexas.edu/humanrights/opportunities/)
    - [PSJD – Funding Sources Advice](https://www.psjd.org/advice/funding-sources)

Postgraduate Fellowships
:   - [Project-based Postgraduate Fellowships](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/public-service/public-interest-and-public-defense/project-based-postgraduate-fellowships/)
    - [Organization-based Postgraduate Fellowships](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/public-service/public-interest-and-public-defense/organization-based-postgraduate-fellowships/)
    - [Long Career Launch Program](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/long-career-launch-program/)
    - [William Wayne Justice Center Postgraduate Fellowships](https://law.utexas.edu/publicinterest/type/post-graduate-fellowships/)
    - [Texas Law Fellowship Mentor Directory](https://law.utexas.edu/careers/public-service/public-interest/texas-law-fellowship-mentor-directory/)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness & Repayment
:   - [Texas Law Loan Repayment Assistance Program](https://law.utexas.edu/financial-aid/lrap/)
    - [Equal Justice Works Student Debt Relief Resources](https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-students/student-debt-resources/resources/?debt_category=student-debt-resources)
    - [Heather Jarvis, Student Loan Expert](http://www.askheatherjarvis.com/)