The Center also serves as the nerve center for public interest resources and programs at HUSL through our Equal Justice Program (EJP). EJP provides opportunities for students to engage in practical experience through volunteer legal and community services experiences.

Equal Justice Program

Services & Programs

Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program

Howard University School of Law has a proud legacy of championing civil rights and social justice causes. The Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program furthers this legacy by encouraging HUSL students to engage in voluntary, uncompensated work on behalf of low-income and underrepresented populations. HUSL students are encouraged to pledge a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono work to be completed during their 3 years of law school. Students who complete the pledge are recognized at graduation and will receive a certificate signed by the Dean.

For more information about the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program and to find out how to get started, please review the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program Student Information Packet below.

Pro Bono Student Information Packet (52 kb)

Available online and in the Clinical Law Center (G-18 ND).


Externship Program

Students who wish to receive credit for their work in the public sector may enroll in Howard’s Externship Program during either the summer or the academic semesters. The objective of the Externship Program is to teach students, through practical experiences, about the operation of the legal system and the role of lawyers in that system. Students enrolled in the Externship Program work for one semester at a designated field placement at a government, nonprofit, or public interest organization or agency in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition, students may work on a pro bono project within a private law firm.

Students who propose work within a law firm must provide documentation ensuring that 100% of the student’s work is of a public interest nature and does not generate fees for the firm. Students are also required to attend and participate in a weekly 75-minute seminar taught by the Clinic Director or Equal Justice Program Coordinator. The seminar focuses on a variety of issues and topics including the development of lawyering skills, problems arising at the placement site, ethical issues, discussion of other issues relating to placements, and career opportunities for public interest lawyers.

Students interested in the Externship Program must apply one semester in advance and be accepted into the program. For detailed information, please review the General Externship Program Student Guide.

Available online and in the Clinical Law Center (G-18 ND).

Public Interest Career Planning

Navigating a public interest career path can be confusing and at times, frustrating. EJP seeks to assist students who decide to take this noble path with individual career counseling and public interest career resources. Students are encouraged to stop by the Clinic to set up an appointment with the Equal Justice Program Coordinator for individual counseling sessions. Students should also consult the many public interest hard copy resources available in the Public Interest Resource Center (101 ND). In addition to EJP, the Office of Career Services is instrumental to planning a successful public interest career. Be sure to stop by OCS (214 ND) to find out about other career-related resources and services.

As a starting point, check out the Public Interest Resume & Cover Letter Tips.

Public Interest Resume and Cover Letter Tips (11 kb)

Handout available online and in the Public Interest Resource Center.



Public Interest Programming

EJP works closely with the Office of Career Services and several public interest student groups to coordinate public interest programs throughout the academic year. Programs generally take place during the lunch hour and most require that you register in order to attend. Be on the look out for the Lunch with a Lawyer series, Public Interest Career Panel, Prosecutors & Defenders Panel, Public Interest Speed Networking Event, and the Public Interest Career Fair hosted by OCS annually.




The Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project

The Marshall-Brennan Fellowship Program is a Constitutional Law Clinical Program launched in 1999 at the Washington College of Law at American University by the widows of former Supreme Court Justices Thurgood Marshall and William J. Brennan. Howard has partnered with American University to bring this opportunity to HUSL Students.

This movement for constitutional literacy is rooted in the belief that students will profit for a lifetime from learning the system of rights and responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution. Many citizens do not participate and feel disengaged from politics. The Marshall-Brennan Fellows work with teachers, administrators and lawyers to teach students their rights as citizens, the strategic benefits of voting, how lawmaking occurs and other fundamental constitutional processes.

To that end, Marshall Brennan fellows teach two semester long Constitutional Law classes at area high schools using curriculum that is focused on the experiences of high school students. Each semester culminates in a moot court competition where high school students have the opportunity to engage in oral argument before a panel of mock federal judges (and on some occasions actual federal judges). This program is open to all 2nd and 3rd year law students.

Although the time and emotional commitments are great, the benefits reaped from the program are enormous as law students become teachers and role models in the local community. The Marshall-Brennan Fellows have the chance to make a profound difference in the lives of their students.

Marshall Brennan Finalists with Judges - 2008

2009-2010 Marshall Brennan Application Materials (61 kb)

updated: July 1, 2009