Students at Rutgers Law School are committed to social justice and serving the public interest. Through a variety of programs, law students spend their time and energy working as advocates and taking part in activities that help the larger community.
Rutgers Law is proud of two long-standing public interest traditions: The Mary Philbrook Public Interest Awards, which honor outstanding public interest advocates and First Monday, which recognizes the beginning of the term of the Supreme Court of the United States, by hosting a thought-provoking symposium or panel on a contemporary issue being considered by the court, including voting rights and affirmative action.
The Mary Philbrook Public Interest Award honors outstanding public interest advocates. It is given each fall at a gala celebration in Camden, in recognition of Mary Philbrook, the first woman admitted to the New Jersey Bar.
The First Monday in October is the official start of the Supreme Court term and at Rutgers Law School, is traditionally recognized by a speaker's panel on a timely court topic being considered by the court, including voting rights and affirmative action.