<p>i'm interested in criminal justice & the laws of the United States. i'm wanting to act as a lawyer for the people against the government in instances where personal liberties are threatened. lately this has become more of an issue, or maybe it is just more evident lately. does anyone have any suggestions as to where or how i would go about making this a career??</p>
<p>all comments/insight will be appreciated!</p>
<p>The best way to do this (get into public interest law), that is economically workable, is to work exceptionally hard at the undergrad level, and then to study extensively for the LSAT. Therefore, you will be more likely to gain admission into a Top-14 law school. From there you can apply for internships after your first year of law school. Build your contacts list up, and then you can go into public interest law after graduation. However, the reason it is important to go to a T14 law school are the law school debt repayment program some T14s have. If you go to one of the more prestigious universities (T14s) at some you can go into a lower paying field of law (like public interest) while the law school forgives your debt over a period of time. Moreover, some entry-level positions at these firms have limited spots; having a degree from a T14 will usually help get you in the door (along with your internship contacts). If you cannot find a program with debt-repayment programs you will have a very hard time paying off your law school debts working at a public interest law firm. In the event that you do not get into a top law school, and that you don't get on your law school's law review (or in the top 10% of your class), you can work in the private sector. Under this scenario you would have to spend some time paying down your debt, which would then make public interest law economically workable.</p>