A Call to Public Service

Despite slow improvements in the economy, the job market for new lawyers remains a significant challenge. Many young attorneys interested in public service work worry about whether there is an adequate infrastructure in place to support a public interest career choice. What are the options at state and local levels and how can recent graduates secure a place in those settings? Are there innovative alternatives to pursue public interest work in non-traditional settings, like public firms? Can a progressive public interest law firm be created inside a city or county counsel's office? This panel included lawyers from state and local public offices. Participants discussed traditional and innovative options. Representative Crisanta Duran, Colorado General Assembly Kathleen Morris, Associate Professor of Law, Golden Gate University School of Law Gene R. Nichol, Boyd Tinsley Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Center on Poverty, Work & Opportunity, University of North Carolina School of Law (moderator) Shanna Singh Hughey, Senior Advisor, Mayor Karl Dean Amanda Tyler, Ways and Means Counsel, Office of U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)