A number of public interest lawyers practice law in private law firms. Private sector public interest work encompasses a variety of substantive practice areas including civil rights, plaintiff-side employment, labor, and immigration. Many public interest attorneys in private practice offer services on a contingency fee, sliding scale, or even pro bono basis. See below for resources:
- National Lawyers Guild
- California Employment Lawyers Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Alumni database
- Los Angeles Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Small & Midsize Firm Guide
- Northern California Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Central California Small & Midsize Firm Directory
- Southern California Small & Midsize Firm Directory (excluding LA)
Post Graduate Fellowships
Some public interest private law firms have fellowships for new graduates. Many are posted on psjd.org. Here is a sample:
- Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger Fellowship - San Francisco - 3 year fellowship - applications due by September 1 of the year prior - 2026 application due by September 1, 2025
- Fellowship in Appellate Litigation - Gupta Wessler LLP - Washington DC - priority consideration given to applications received by September 1, 2025
- 2026-2027 Litigation Fellow - Katz Banks Kumin - San Francisco or DC - Rolling until September 5, 2025
- 2026-2028 Civil Rights Fellowship - Relman Colfax, PLLC - Washington, DC - 2 years - rolling until September 15, 2025
- Civil Rights Litigation Fellowship - Bernabei & Kabat - 2026 Fellowship will be hired through the Equal Justice Works career fair