Social Justice Institute

The Social Justice Institute (SJI) is the focal point of public interest law activities at Pierce Law and is an integral part of the curriculum, culture and thinking.

The Social Justice Institute:

Is committed to training students about social responsibility and professional activism
Exposes students to social justice issues through lectures, visiting practitioners, and conferences
Assists students in navigating the many resources at Pierce Law so that even first-year law students can use their education to help others
Encourages and prepares students to develop rewarding careers that advance social justice for the betterment of all
Offers expert individual guidance on summer externships, fellowship opportunities, and post-graduate job searches with the help of the Career Services Office

Pierce Law's Clinics bring the law to life by allowing students to apply their knowledge to real cases; and expose students to the expectations, culture, and ethics of a law practice. Current clinical offerings include Consumer and Commercial Law, Criminal Practice, Family and Housing, Mediation, Intellectual Property, and the Appellate Defender Program.

Courses for law students preparing for careers in public interest/social justice combine substantive legal knowledge with practical skills for applying this knowledge professionally.

This is an exciting time to begin a legal career as a social justice advocate. In the words of Pierce Law's distinguished 2002 Commencement Speaker, Michael Th. Johnson, Chief of Prosecutions for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague,

"If the meek will someday inherit the earth, it will only be possible because of the legal profession...Lawyers and their staff who build and maintain a universal culture of equality and justice...As lawyers you will be the most powerful force on earth. Make certain you use it for good."

Michael Th. Johnson
2002 Pierce Law Commencement Speaker
Lead Counsel on UN War Crimes Tribunal for Rwanda