According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2028, but record numbers of law school graduates have created strong competition for jobs, even though the number of graduates has begun to level off. Continued population growth and increased numbers of legal cases involving environmental, human rights, international law, elder abuse, and sexual harassment issues, among others, will create a steady demand for public interest lawyers. Law services will be more accessible to the middle-income public with the popularity of prepaid legal services and clinics.
Despite the relatively low salaries earned by public interest lawyers, there is strong competition for these jobs. Most lawyers enter the specialty after several years practicing law and completing internships or fellowships in public interest law.
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