Serve Specific Clients or Causes
Many students come to law school wanting to serve a specific client group, or develop that goal as they move through their education. Different types of clients are associated with specific subject matter specialties and practice settings, and distinct rewards and demands for lawyers working with them.
Causes, Groups & Communities
Lawyers focused on serving specific causes, or geographic or identity based communities, rather than individuals:
- Specialize in civil rights and constitutional law, community or sustainable economic development, environmental law,
immigration law, or international human rights
- Practice primarily in non-profit organizations, also known as non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), but also in government organizations and small private firms
- Face demands such as attending
community meetings(often in the evenings), collaborating with
political movements, and significant travel
- Face demands such as attending
community meetings(often in the evenings), collaborating with political
movements, and significant travel
- Enjoy Rewards that include creating change and
working with like-minded people, often on cutting edge issues presenting
significant intellectual and strategy challenges
- Possess credentials in the way of
demonstrated commitment to the cause or group
- Need substantive knowledge about the cause, engagement with the
community, and relevant skills, including strategic thinking and willingness to
defer to community movements in decision making