Vanderbilt students may pursue a range of public interest experiential opportunities, including clinics, practicums, externships, and pro bono programs and projects.
Through the clinical program, students have the opportunity to represent clients in state and federal court; to represent clients in transactions; or to complete substantive research in support of international institutions, domestic government agencies, or international tribunals. All students work under the close supervision of a faculty member.
The Externship Program allows students to receive course credit for working pro bono in summer and semester externships with faculty-approved legal employers throughout the U.S. and abroad. Students gain valuable work experience by directly immersing themselves in legal offices.
Pro bono activities provide students with the opportunity to build their legal skills, explore other areas of the law, and network with legal professionals. Vanderbilt Law offers a Pro Bono Pledge, opportunities to engage in pro bono service, and the Access to Justice Initiative.
Students worked for legal employers in 20 states, Washington, D.C., and as a UN Special Rapporteur on the Prevention of Torture. The students receive stipend support to help defray their living expenses or earn course credit.
The Public Interest Legislation and Policy Practicum launched in spring 2024. Student teams worked on live legislative projects to support the work of community partners in the areas of education law and voting rights restoration.
Five Vanderbilt Law students worked for two legal nonprofit organizations over their 2025 Pro Bono Spring Break to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.