The Public Interest Associates Program provides programmatic support to third-year Stanford Law School students who are committed to pursuing careers in public service later in their careers after an initial stint in the private sector. Students who intend to start their careers immediately in public service after graduation or after a judicial clerkship should register for our Public Interest Fellows program.

The Public Interest Associates Program exists to support a cohort of students seeking to remain engaged in public service while planning to start their careers in the private sector. Levin Center staff will provide targeted workshops on how to transition out of firms, how to choose firms with strong pro bono service cultures, and other specialized programs for this cohort. The Associates also serve in leadership roles within the public interest community at Stanford Law School.

SELECTION CRITERIA
All rising third-year law students who intend to return to public service within the first five years after graduation and willingly undertake the following obligations are invited to become Public Interest Associates.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Those selected as Public Interest Associates will work with the Levin Center in developing its various initiatives. The obligations of Public Interest Associates include the following:

• Attending the Spring Public Interest Awards reception;
• Participating in quarterly meetings/events with Levin Center staff during the academic year; and
• Assisting Admissions in recruiting prospective students by being available via email to prospective students (especially admitted students during Winter and Spring).

The Public Interest Associates Program was launched in early 2018 in response to strong student interest. Our first cohort of Public Interest Associates are from the Class of 2019.