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Public Interest Week

Launched in 2008, Public Interest Week is a highlight of Penn Carey Law’s public interest annual programming.

PI Week Speaker Agnieszka Fryszman

One of TPIC’s signature event series, Public Interest Week convenes members of the local, national, and international public interest community at the Law School to explore a relevant, timely theme. Student pro bono projects, student groups, and various institutional partners host engaging lunchtime and evening events throughout the week.

Public Interest Week concludes with the Annual Public Interest Student & Alumni Dinner. This event brings together the Penn Carey Law community to connect across generations, reflect on the importance of service within the legal profession, and celebrate the incredible public interest contributions of our students and alumni.

Public Interest Week Honorary Fellow

Each year, the Law School is honored to host an Honorary Fellow who engages Law School leadership, students, and alumni and presents their work to our faculty. The Honorary Fellow also leads a keynote discussion during Public Interest Week.

Recent Honorary Fellows have included:

  • Damon Hewitt - President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
  • Ben Jealous - President, People for the American Way, former President and CEO, NAACP
  • Sherrilyn Ifill - President and Executive Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
  • Benjamin Crump - Attorney for the families of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin
  • Reed Brody - Former Counsel, Human Rights Watch
  • Marcia Greenberger - Founder and Co-President, National Women’s Law Center