The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) is a student-run organization at Lewis & Clark Law School that was founded in 1990. PILP encourages and supports budding attorneys pursuing careers in public interest law. Public interest law is the practice of law pursued on behalf of both individuals and causes that are not typically served by the for-profit-bar. Public interest lawyers serve the public by working for civil and criminal legal services organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, lobbying for the advancement of rights, and more. Public interest work is not confined to any one political ideology; it is work undertaken to advance concepts of justice, fairness, and protection of the public, rather than for purposes of commercial or personal gain. Public interest lawyers seek access to justice for everyone, regardless of their background or income. The PILP Auction is our group's largest fundraiser, bringing together the Portland community to raise funds to continue the Summer Award and Loan Repayment Assistance Programs. 

Through the Summer Award Program, PILP supports students doing invaluable work at public interest organizations in Oregon and across the country by providing awards to cover their living expenses. Since its inception, PILP summer awards have helped over 288 students finance more than 100,000 hours of public interest law work at no cost to their employers. This past year, PILP granted 13 summer awards to students working at public interest organizations.

The Loan Repayment Assistance Program allows alumni to work for human rights organizations, Native American tribes, disability rights groups, conservation nonprofits, and other public interest organizations without some of the heavy burden of student loans.