Law and Public Policy

Whether you are interested in culture, education, environmental policy, human rights, healthcare, or international affairs, many past and present Obies have chosen a career in law and public policy to pursue their passion and make a lasting difference in the world.

Working in the field of law or public policy, you will have the opportunity to address a wide range of complex problems and help shape the future of issues as they impact individuals, communities, and organizations on topics from business to healthcare to civil rights. Obies with an interest in applying the knowledge and skills they have developed – analytical thinking, research, persuasive writing, and more – to the real world may find that Law and Public Policy is the place for them, no matter the major.

Anthony Pernell-McGee (he/him) serves as Executive Director of Career Exploration and Development, pre-law advisor, and advisor to the Law and Public Policy Career Community. He is also the liaison to the Law & Society program.

Schedule an appointment with Anthony (Career Exploration and Development - Law and Public Policy Career Advising).

Law and Justice Scholars

The Law and Justice Scholars program serves students interested in pursuing careers in public interest law and social justice advocacy as well as students exploring law-related careers more generally.

The Law and Justice Scholars Program

Law and Society

The law and society major at Oberlin allows students to pursue their interests within a flexible academic format. As students progress through the major, they can tailor their focus around particular areas, from economic or corporate law to more philosophical questions of agency, ethics, and culpability.

Law and Society at Oberlin

Moot Court

In February of 2023, Obies established the Oberlin College Moot Team. Moot Court is a simulated appellate court experience where students argue fictitious cases before a panel of judges, mimicking the format of real appellate court proceedings.

Oberlin College Moot Court

Students with a liberal arts education are well situated to respond and influence a range of pressing issue areas, including:

Civil liberties and rights
Cultural preservation
Food systems and food justice
Gender equity
Homelessness and housing rights
Immigrant rights
LGBT rights
Mental health care
Poverty
Racial justice
Sustainability and environmental protection

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of law and public policy, there are many entry points into the field. Career paths could include the following:

Law

Agent
Civil litigation lawyer
Compliance specialist
Corporate lawyer
Criminal lawyer
Legal advocacy
Legal nurse consultants
Legislative analyst
Mediator
Patent lawyer

Public Policy

Ambassador
Environmental lobbyist
Grant administration
Federal/state/municipal government
Foreign service officer
Intelligence officer
International relations
Policy analyst
Policy research
Statistician

Pre-Law Guide: Information about LSAT, LSAC, the law school application process, and much more.

Harvard Law School JD Referral Program: Apply when you are a college junior; if admitted, commit to defer that offer of admission for a minimum of two years after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity allows you to apply to Harvard Law School for free.
Vault/MCCA Law Firm Diversity Database: Allows you to compare law firms by diversity criteria (demographic group, attorney category, and firm answers to qualitative questions). See how firms measure up regarding diversity initiatives that they have set in place.
The National Women’s Law Center's mission is to protect and advance the progress of women and girls at work, in school, and in virtually every aspect of their lives.
The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is a national organization designed to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Black law students.
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund offers several scholarships to African American students pursuing legal careers.
The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is an incorporated, non-profit, national association representing the interest of over 25,000 Hispanic American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) provides resources and scholarship awards to law students who support MALDEF's mission to advance the civil rights of Latino communities through the legal profession.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, providing a national network for its members and affiliates.
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) uses litigation, advocacy, education and organizing to secure human rights.
Law School Admission Council's Discover Law Program encourages racially and ethnically diverse students to discover career opportunities in law and choose a path in undergraduate school to help them succeed. LSAC's DiscoverLaw.org Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) programs are targeted, but not restricted, to college students from racial and ethnic minority groups underrepresented in the legal profession. The programs are designed for students in the first two years of college, and preference will be given to students who have signed up for the discovery program.
Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) offers The CLEO College Scholars Program. Its purpose is to identify, motivate and prepare students for a career in the legal profession. The College Scholars program aims to help low-income, minority, and otherwise disadvantaged students become competitive law school applicants. Committed students can learn how to successfully navigate the law school admission process and underwrite their success in law school by participating in the College Scholars program.
ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity has information about scholarships and other opportunities.
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) is dedicated to diversity in the legal profession and provides programs, workshops and other events on the law school admission process.
The Washington Program invites the nation's best and brightest African American male college students to apply for an intensive two-summer program inWashington, DC. More than 260 young men have gone on to achieve successful careers in politics, law, medicine, ministry, academia, business, tech and more.